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Northport import Kevin Murphy. – PBA PICTURES
NorthPort remains optimistic as it moves through the remainder of the PBA Governor’s Cup.
“Now we’re up,” coach Bonnie Tan told the Inquirer in Filipino shortly after Batang Pier squeaked past Blackwater, 110-104, on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
“We are very happy that we are moving in this direction even if it is a little late,” he continued.
Kevin Murphy was easily the biggest reason for NorthPort’s survival last night, with 47 points and 16 rebounds.
Robert Bolick was also commended in the contest. Playing in just his fourth game of the conference, the spitfire guard poured in 24 points with seven rebounds.
NorthPort remains in the running for the final five playoff spots.
“If you remember, we all have to work only on January 8. Kevin arrived a little late and only now Robert and the others have returned to form. So we really don’t have much choice,” said Tan, who replaced Pido Jarencio earlier this year.
“You know, I would definitely pick this (predicament) because we lost more games and were an angry group at the end of the season,” he said.
Blackwater got 20 points from import Shawn Glover, while Gab Banal, Jvee Casio, and Mike Ayonayon scored double figures.
However, that balanced attack could not save the club from their eighth defeat in nine meetings. Blackwater is officially out of playoff contention.
With three more games to spare, Tan hopes that the familiarity of the players with each other and the system will pave the way for a coup.
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