Here are the live scores, updates, and results of the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup between the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters and the Northport Batang Pier, scheduled on July 21, 2021, at 3:00 PM.
Northport was trounced 85-63 by the Meralco Bolts in their first match of the 46th season of the PBA.
The Batang Pier, without Greg Slaughter, shot just 17 of 81 from the field for a dismal 20 percent clip against the Meralco Bolts, who converted 34 of 78 shots for a 43 percent clip.
Sidney Onwubere, a NorthPort offseason acquisition, led the team with 13 points and 6 rebounds, while Robert Bolick, who was playing in his first game since tearing his ACL in October 2019, put in 11 points on 4-of-19 shooting.
Second overall pick in season 46 Jamie Malonzo made a quiet start for the Batang Pier, scoring 9 points and grabbing 9 rebounds on 3-of-12 shooting, while Troy Rike, the 11th pick, only had 3 points and 4 rebounds in 26 minutes.
And now that Greg Slaughter, who appeared to be the missing piece in Batang Pier’s first match, has returned from a month-long stay in the United States for vaccination, Northport’s chances of defeating Phoenix have improved.
Meanwhile, the Fuel Masters’ season debut last Saturday was ruined by a 73-80 loss to the Magnolia Hotshots, who are now led by former star Calvin Abueva.
Matthew Wright had 20 points while newcomer Vic Manuel had 16 points and 10 rebounds. However, their efforts were in vain as they were defeated to begin their PBA campaign.
Chris Banchero, a former Hotshots guard, did not play for the Fuel Masters due to a sprained ankle.
The last time these two teams met, Phoenix upends NorthPort on clutch charities.
The All-Filipino Cup will proceed to the quarterfinals in its customary format, with the top eight teams advancing. Against the eighth and seventh seeds, the top two seeds will have a twice-to-beat advantage. Meanwhile, in a best-of-three series, No. 3 will face No. 6, and No. 4 will face No. 5. Best-of-seven matches will be played in the semifinals and finals.
Unlike last season’s setup, the league will have a closed-circuit system for the Philippine Cup this time, with teams, league employees, and the media encouraged to keep a venue-home pattern to limit COVID-19 exposure.
The games will be held four times a week. The conference is also scheduled to go through the end of October.