Kadeem Jack saves day as NorthPort survives San Miguel; import-less Blackwater stuns Phoenix

MANILA, Philippines – Count on import Kadeem Jack to save the day for NorthPort when the game is on the line. 

Unstoppable all game long, Jack sank the game-winning basket for the Batang Pier as they averted a major collapse against the San Miguel Beermen with a 105-104 escape in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on Tuesday, January 21.

Jack nailed a tough fall-away jumper over San Miguel big man Mo Tautuaa off an isolation play with 16.7 seconds remaining to put the Batang Pier back in the driver’s seat after they blew a 24-point lead in the second half.

Jack finished with a game-high 38 points on an efficient 15-of-23 shooting, including 27 markers in just the first two quarters alone. 

“That play was designed for Kadeem. All coaches decided that Kadeem will take the last shot,” said NorthPort assistant coach Rensy Bajar of Jack’s game-winner. 

“We designed that play for him because we think we have an advantage with Kadeem on that situation,” he added. 

With NorthPort comfortably ahead, 92-74, in the opening seconds of the final frame, San Miguel managed to get back in the game, pulling within just one, 98-99, off a layup by CJ Perez at the 3:06 mark.

The Beermen then eventually stole the lead from the Batang Pier with 26 ticks left after two free throws by Perez, 104-103, their first taste of the lead since being up 2-1 early in the first quarter.

After Jack knocked down the go-ahead jumper for NorthPort, San Miguel still had a chance to win it late, but Juami Tiongson airballed on his floater attempt, leading to a shot clock violation with less than 3 seconds left.  

Arvin Tolentino backstopped Jack with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, while William Navarro and Joshua Munzon scored 17 and 12, respectively.

On the other side, June Mar Fajardo paced the struggling Beermen with 24 points and 15 rebounds, while Perez contributed 21 markers.

Malik Pope, San Miguel’s fourth import of the conference, hardly made an impact, finishing with just 4 points on 2-of-8 shooting and 4 rebounds. 

NorthPort — which is already assured of a playoff spot — created a two-way tie at first place with the Converge FiberXers with an 8-3 slate, while San Miguel fell to 4-6 — tied with the Magnolia Hotshots and the NLEX Road Warriors. 

No George King, no problem

Earlier, the George King-less Blackwater Bossing kept their slim playoff hopes alive after taking down the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 100-92.

With its high-scoring import King sitting out due to a foot injury, Blackwater leaned on its big men Justin Chua and Christian David, who both posted 20-10 double-double stat lines in the hard-earned victory.

Chua registered 22 points and 11 rebounds, while David racked up 20 markers and 12 boards as Blackwater tied Phoenix in the standings with a 3-8 card. 

“I’m really just proud of these guys tonight. I can’t express how proud I am because of their fight, their focus, their energy, and their ability to work together,” said Blackwater head coach Jeff Cariaso of his undermanned Bossing, who also continued to play without their injured star Sedrick Barefield. 

“When it’s an import conference, it’s always harder when you don’t have an import. We didn’t know until 30 minutes before the game that [George King] wasn’t going to play.”

“I couldn’t be prouder of this team. I really love the fight,” he added. 

With the game tied at 92-all after a three-pointer by Phoenix’s Kenneth Tuffin at the 3:44 mark of the fourth, Blackwater tightened its defense and did not allow the Fuel Masters to score the rest of the way.

Blackwater’s stifling defense held Phoenix to a 0-9 clip from the field in the last four minutes, including three consecutive crucial stops on Tyler Tio, Donovan Smith, and Jason Perkins with less than 40 seconds to go.

David’s two free throws with 24 seconds remaining then iced the win for the Bossing as those charities pushed their lead to three possessions, settling the final count at 100-92. 

Aside from Chua and David, veteran point guard JVee Casio stepped up big for Blackwater with 14 points on a healthy 5-of-9 field goal clip.

Meanwhile, Smith led Phoenix with 32 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, but also recorded a game-high 7 turnovers.

Perkins supported Smith in the Fuel Masters’ third straight setback with 19 points. 

The Scores

First Game

Blackwater 100 – Chua 22, David 20, Casio 14, Ayonayon 11, Ponferrada 10, Tungcab 9, Ilagan 7, Escoto 3, Jopia 2, Kwekuteye 2, Guinto 0, Mitchell 0.

Phoenix 92 – Smith 32, Perkins 19, Jazul 12, Salado 7, Tuffin 5, Alejandro 4, Manganti 3, Tio 2, Ballungay 2, Camacho 2, Garcia 0, Daves 0, Verano 0, Rivero 0.

Quarters: 23-17, 51-49, 72-72, 100-92.

Second Game

NorthPort 105 – Jack 38, Tolentino 22, Navarro 17, Munzon 12, Nelle 6, Bulanadi 6, Tratter 2, Flores 2, Yu 0, Miranda 0, Cuntapay 0.

San Miguel 104 –  Fajardo 24, Perez 21, Trollano 16, Tautuaa 14, Tiongson 10, Cruz 6, Pope 4, Lassiter 3, Cahilig 3, Rosales 3, Ross 0.

Quarters: 32-22, 69-52, 91-74, 105-104.

– Rappler.com