NorthPort survives late scare from Phoenix, takes second straight win
At A Glance
- Rookies Cade Flores and Xavier Lucero carried the offensive load while Fran Yu knocked down the finishing blows as NorthPort nipped the gritty Phoenix side, 124-120, in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, March 8.
Rookies Cade Flores and Xavier Lucero carried the offensive load while Fran Yu knocked down the finishing blows as NorthPort nipped the gritty Phoenix side, 124-120, in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, March 8.

Coming off the bench, Flores led the assault for the Batang Pier as he scored 10 of his 21 points in the payoff period while Lucero and Yu drilled crucial baskets down the stretch to deny the last-ditch effort from Fuel Masters stalwart Jason Perkins and take their second straight win
NorthPort head coach Bonnie Tan lauded his second unit for stepping up and noted how his wards were able to show poise despite their young PBA careers.
“Like what I’ve said to my players, it’s how you finish the game, and again the second unit it’s a very crucial unit for a very young NorthPort team and we’re still looking for our identity,” said Tan.
“We’re happy on Xavier (Lucero) delivered off the bench, last game kasi meron syang jetlag, at least nakarecover [sya ngayon],” he added.
NorthPort actually had a comfortable lead midway into the final frame as Flores and veteran Jeff Chan took over on the offensive end.
Though the lead went to as many as 13, 106-93, Perkins, who topscored with 28 points, refused to raise the flag for Phoenix as he went berserk and spearheaded a 20-7 blitz to level the score at 113 apiece.
However, that was their last counter after Yu and Arvin Tolentino sank the key free throws to seal the deal for Northport.
Lucero finished with 18 while Chan and Joshua Munzon added 17 points each. Yu and Zamar backstopped them by listing 13 and 11, respectively.
Tyler Tio aided Perkins with 19 while veteran RJ Jazul and Ricci Rivero had 15 and 13 in a losing cause.