Paul Zamar put up a his best scoring performance at NorthPort and steered his team to a crucial 113-97 victory against Rain or Shine to stay alive in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup at the PhilSports Arena on Saturday, March 4.
The Batang Pier found an unlikely hero in Zamar, who unloaded 20 points highlighted by four triples to provide the much-needed offensive energy that for the most time only relied on Robert Bolick and import Kevin Murphy.
Zamar even conspired with Murphy in a telling 10-2 run to open the payoff period and reestablish a double-digit deficit which they managed to protect en route to the Batang Pier’s third win through 10 games while also eliminating the Elasto Painters in the process.
Murphy, the high-scoring NorthPort import, actually opened the scoring in the final frame before Zamar scored on a layup on the next possession. Gian Mamuyac answered for Rain or Shine with a jumper but Zamar nailed a triple and two free throws to cap the pivotal run that rebuilt a 90-79 lead.
Murphy rifled in 39 points spiked by NorthPort’s franchise-best 10 triples – a feat the explosive reinforcement achieved through an efficient 83 percent clip, an all-time best percentage from the three-point territory with at least 10 treys.
Jeff Chan also showed his veteran wits with 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists while Bolick only finished with 11 but dished out seven assists. JM Calma and Arwind Santos added 11 points apiece.
With the win, NorthPort kept its shot of forcing a do-or-die match for the final playoff spot but it needs to win its final game against TNT and hope that Phoenix loses its last game against Meralco on Sunday, March 5.
It would be favorable for NorthPort as well if Terrafirma also loses one of its remaining games to avoid further complications.
Santi Santillan paced an all-Filipino Rain or Shine with 17 points while Anton Asistio and Nick Demusis added 14 points – all of which went for naught as the Elasto Painters couldn’t find the extra push in the final frame after cutting a double-digit deficit down to just three, 77-80, heading into the final frame.