NorthPort came alive in a whirlwind third quarter barrage, then managed to play steady amid Magnolia's massive fourth period fightback to eke out a 113-110 win and advance to the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup semifinal series on Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.
The Batang Pier, who entered the opening round of the playoffs as the top seeded squad, leaned on a big 36-15 third quarter exchange that allowed them to erase a 14-point deficit.