THE NorthPort Batang Pier are unbeaten no more, and it took an erstwhile winless team to deal them their first-ever loss in the 49th PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The Phoenix Fuel Masters became the first team to defeat the Batang Pier, scoring a 115-109 triumph on Tuesday night, December 17, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

In ending NorthPort’s unbeaten run, Phoenix halted its skid, finally barging into the win column after starting the tournament with four straight losses.

The Batang Pier dropped to 5-1 (win-loss), resulting in a two-way tie at the No. 1 spot with guest team Eastern.

Import Donovan Smith led Phoenix’s breakthrough win by pouring in 32 points, 26 of them came in the final half.

Jason Perkins added 22 points while RJ Jazul provided Phoenix the needed endgame production by scoring eight of his 14 points in the final quarter.

Kadeem Jack led NorthPort with 28 points while Arvin Tolentino and Joshua Munzon 23 and 18, respectively.

THE SCORES:

PHOENIX (115) - Smith 32, Perkins 24, Tuffin 15, Jazul 14, Manganti 9, Soyud 7, Tio 5, Salado 4, Rivero 3, Verano 2, Daves 0, Ular 0, Alejandro 0, Garcia 0.

NORTHPORT (109) - Jack 28, Tolentino 23, Munzon 18, Nelle 15, Onwubere 11, Bulanadi 7, Navarro 3, Flores 2, Miranda 2, Yu 0, Cuntapay 0

QUARTERSCORES: 29-21, 54-45, 84-76, 115-109.(CCM)

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