Jamel Artis provided an all-around effort as the NorthPort Batang Pier edged the league-leading Magnolia Hotshots, 103-101, in the 2022 PBA Governors' Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City Thursday night, Feb. 24.
Artis scored 42 points on a 14-of-21 shooting from the field and contributed nine rebounds, eight assists, and three steals as NorthPorth claimed its second straight victory and improved to a 2-5 record.
Jamie Malonzo contributed 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals for the Batang Pier while Arwind Santos scored 14 points to go with eight rebounds, four blocks, one steal, and one assist.
Tied at 99-all, Artis made his heroic act by firing a go-ahead jumper over Rafi Reavis en route to a 101-99 lead with 49 seconds left in the payoff period.
Malonzo then sank one from the free throw line for a thin three-point lead but Harris was quick to respond with a pair of free throws to cut the deficit by only one point, 102-101, with 10 seconds remaining.
Artis responded with a pair of his own from the charity stripes before Paul Lee, who shot 5-of-16 from the field, missed a potential game-winning trey.
Harris paced Magnolia with 34 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal, Mark Barrocas scored 16 points, while Lee chipped in 14.
Magnolia suffered its first loss of the season but still sits atop the rankings with six wins.