From No.8 to Semi-Finals!

Batang Pier makes a cinderella run from a top 8 spot in the elimination to semi-finals.

They survived a double do or die games versus No. 1 spot NLEX who previously won against the No 2 (Meralco Bolts), No.3(TNT Katropa) and No.4 (Brgy Ginebra San Miguel).

Christian Standhardinger, Michael Qualls and Sean Anthony were all Mr. Ironmen for NorthPort, all playing super extended minutes and each one delivering as the Batang Pier beat out the NLEX Road Warriors in a triple-overtime grind of a do-or-die setto to make the PBA semifinals for the second time in franchise history.

Standhardinger, Qualls and Anthony all had hulking numbers, carrying NorthPort on their broad shoulders as they outlasted the Road Warriors, 126-123, in a rubber that lasted almost an eternity.

Emerging triumphant in the end, the Batang Pier became the fourth eighth-seeded team in PBA playoffs history to dispose of a top seed.

Winning a fourth straight do-or-die match from the elims, coach Pido Jarencio and his troops advanced to the semifinals of the PBA Governors’ Cup versus coach Tim Cone and his Barangay Ginebra Kings.

Standhardinger came through with 33 points, 23 rebounds and seven assists in 61:02 of action, Qualls produced 31 markers, 21 boards, five blocks and four dish-offs in 61:48 of play while Anthony logged in 30 points and 11 rebounds.

The scores:

NorthPort 126 – Standhardinger 33, Qualls 31, Anthony 30, Elorde 12, Taha 7, Ferrer 6, Lanete 4, Mercado 3, Cruz 0, King 0.

NLEX 123 – Harris 43, Ravena 22, Quinahan 13, Ighalo 12, Soyud 9, Paniamogan 8, Cruz 6, Taulava 6, Miranda 2, Fonacier 2, Alas 0.

Quarterscores: 24-27, 43-56, 70-74, 99-99, 116-116, 126-123

Source : PBA