Game today:

(Batangas City Coliseum)

7:30 p.m. — Converge vs Barangay Ginebra

NorthPort clamped down on defense in the fourth quarter and outran Hong Kong Eastern in a 120-113 decision to get back on the winning track for the solo lead in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup Friday night at the Philsports Arena.

A 6-0 run early in the fourth period gave the Batang Pier the opening to create significant separation and held it all the way to rebound from a stinging loss to Phoenix the last time out for a 6-1 win-loss record.

Having fresher legs compared to Eastern, who came off a game in Hong Kong where they defeated San Miguel Beer for their first win in the East Asia Super League, NorthPort easily dismantled the tired visiting squad in the final canto.

“Basically, we took advantage of them coming in from a game in Hong Kong. So, we outran them. We’re able to recover our transition points and in the assist department as a team,” Batang Pier head coach Bonnie Tan said.

NorthPort had 20 fastbreak points compared to Eastern’s 14 while dishing out 28 assists.

Import Kadeem Jack led the Batang Pier with 38 points on 13-of-22 field goal shooting, pulled down nine rebounds with three steals, two blocks and two assists in 42 minutes of action.

Arvin Tolentino finished with 35 points on 10-of-16 clip from the field while Joshua Munzon and Will Navarro had 15 and 10 points, respectively, for NorthPort.

“It’s always fun going up against a visiting team or when you play outside the country. You’d have that factor of wanting to win. That’s what happened today,” said Tolentino, who had six rebounds and three assists.

“I’m happy with the way I played. I always try to outsmart my opponents, every game that’s my approach. I guess we also have an advantage since they played in the EASL the other day then turnaround.”

Protecting a three-point lead heading into the final canto, the Batang Pier created a 96-90 gap and kept Eastern at bay. NorthPort erected its biggest separation, 116-105, with 58 seconds left off a Tolentino transition basket.

Hong Kong dropped to a 5-2 card and saw its three-game winning run snapped.

Chris McLaughlin posted a double-double of 26 points and 15 rebounds, Hayden Blankley added 24 points and 10 boards while Koeby Lam scored 18 for Eastern. Glen Yang had 13 points and eight assists.

Meanwhile, steaking Converge eyes a third straight win against Barangay Ginebra today in the lone match at the Batangas City Coliseum.

Game time is set at 7:30 p.m. with both teams looking to build momentum heading into their Christmas Day game against separate foes.

The FiberXers have found their touch after a shaky start, winning back-to-back games after beating NLEX, 102-91, last Tuesday before crushing Phoenix, 116-105, Thursday night for a 4-2 slate.

Converge, playing their third game in five days, braces for a tough fight against the Kings despite having the height advantage with import Cheick Diallo, rookie big man Justine Baltazar, Bryan Santos and Jordan Heading.

“On paper we looked a bit taller. Their import JB (Justin Brownlee) is a guard. But everything changes when you’re on the floor. I’m sure with the experience and with the veteran leadership of those guys there, their players and of course coach Tim, they can work their way,” Atienza said.

“We just have to be ready. We just have to be faithful on how to prepare. Go there as a team and grind-it-out,” he added.

“For sure it’s going to be a tough game, especially out of town against the people’s team Ginebra. But it will be worth a shot. That is something we will relish, that Saturday game.”