Kevin Ferrer dropped 10 of his 20 points in the second quarter as the NorthPort Batang Pier scored a masterful 115-79 win against the Phoenix LPG Fuel Masters in the 46th PBA Season Philippine Cup Wednesday, July 21 at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
Ferrer came off the bench and went 6-of-13 from the field while also adding nine rebounds in almost 30 minutes of action.
Third year guard Robert Bolick, who missed the bubble tournament last year because of a knee injury, also had 20 points, 11 assists and seven boards, while rookie Troy Rike impressed with 20 points.
Jamie Malonzo, the No. 2 overall pick of Batang Pier in the last PBA Rookie Draft, and Sidney Onwubere added 15 points each.
The win allowed the Batang Pier to enter the win column after losing their first game this season against the Meralco Bolts 85-63 last Friday for a 1-1 win-loss card in the standings.
The 36-point victory is the largest winning margin in NorthPort franchise history, eclipsing the previous record of 34 points in a 124-90 victory over Ginebra during Game 1 of 2019 Governors’ Cup semifinals.
Phoenix, on the other hand, dropped to 0-2 as it fell to Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok 80-73 last Saturday. Vic Manuel led the Fuel Masters with 26 points while Matthew Wright had 15 points of just 4-of-15 shooting from the perimeter.
The 36-point beating is the second largest margin of defeat in team history after a 123-79 defeat to Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok in the 2017 Philippine Cup elimination round.
The Scores:
NORTHPORT 115 – Bolick 20, Rike 20, Ferrer 20, Malonzo 15,Onwubere 15, Taha 12, Elorde 6, Faundo 4, Balanza 3, Subido 0, Doliguez 0, Grey 0.
PHOENIX 79 – Manuel 26, Wright 15, Perkins 12, Jazul 8, Garcia 6, Melecio 4, Pascual 2, Demusis 2, Chua 2, Rios 2, Faundo 0, Muyang 0, Calisaan 0, Napoles 0, Tamsi 0.
Quarters: 22-18; 50-31; 79-51; 115-79.