It was a came-from-behind win for the NorthPort Batang Pier against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 107-105.
NorthPort needed to climb back from a 25-point deficit and an extra period in order for them to be back at the top of the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup standings.
Mo Tautuaa played like a real number one overall pick as he notched a double-double performance with 34 points and 11 rebounds.
Tautuaa was later named as the Best Player of the Game.
The Fil-Tongan made a tandem with their prized rookie Robert Bolick to complete their comeback.
With less than two minutes in the fourth quarter, the Elasto Painters were still leading by eleven points then the surging run of the Batang Pier began.
In the extra period, Tautuaa continued his great performance especially from the three-point territory.
Yet, the boys of coach Caloy Garcia found a way to slow down NorthPort and that by sending Prince Ibeh to the free-throw line.
The import of NorthPort missed all of his four freebies which gave Rain or Shine an opportunity to tie the game with only less than ten seconds remaining in the overtime.
However, there was some sort of confusion for RoS as they missed to call for a timeout.
As time running down, Denzel Bowles launched a half-court shot but he didn’t hit anything as the last buzzer was heard.
Bowles led Rain or Shine with 41 points and 21 rebounds while JV Mocon added 16 points and 11 rebounds.
NorthPort now shares with TNT KaTropa at top of the standings with 6-1 record while the RoS dropped to 2-3 slate.
Big Three from Big Mo
NorthPort vs Rain or Shine Box Score
Quarters: 17-25 | 40-49 | 63-84 | 100-100 | 107-105
Batang Pier (107) – Tautuaa 34, Bolick 22, Lanete 16, Anthony 14, Taha 12, Ibeh 9
Elasto Painters (105) – Bowles 41, Mocon 16, Daquioag 12, Nambatac 11, Rosales 10, Belga 5, Norwood 4, Ponferada 2, Borboran 2, Torres 2