Powell’s game-winning trey helps Bay Area survive NorthPort

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Superstar import Myles Powell impressed for the second-straight time in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) after sinking the game-winning three-point shot and steered the Bay Area Dragons to a sweet win against the NorthPort Batang Pier, 105-104, in the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup.

After dropping 41 big points during Bay Area’s 133-87 massacre of the Blackwater Bossing squad, the scoring machine guard wasn’t done and finished the tightly-contested game with 37 points and six rebounds.

It was one of the closest encounters Bay Area had since landing in the Philippines last month while figuring in several tune-up games with PBA and UAAP teams.

NorthPort showed grit and heart against the taller and bigger East Asia Super League (EASL) representatives as main gunner Robert Bolick was quick to put his imprint on the game.

After Bolick scored back-to-back driving buckets against Bay Area’s seven-foot-five center Liu Chuanxing, NorthPort knew that Bay Area was in for a long night.

Bolick was all over the place, draining three-point bombs from near the center logo while attacking the huge Bay Area interior without fear.

NorthPort’s efforts and collective scoring put them in an early advantage in the first half but soon as Powell and the rest of the Dragons regained their shooting rhythm in the third canto, Bay Area retook the lead and turned the game into a dogfight.

Both teams failed to establish a double-digit lead during the entire game as their respective offensive schemes were executed to perfection.

With 2:40 remaining in the game, the flashy Roi Sumang gave the lead back to NorthPort, 100-99, after burying a left elbow three-pointer.

Bay Area responded on the other end with a huge foul-counted play that changed the favor of the game, 100-102.

NorthPort thought they already had the grip of the game after Sumang’s heroic steal that led to an easy breakaway layup, 104-102, with only a minute remaining in the intense game.

However, Powell once again turned into Mr. automatic. With 9.8 seconds left and NorthPort leading by a deuce, the American versatile scorer sized his defender up, used the screen on the left side, and pulled off a step-back triple over the outstretched arms of Prince Ibeh.

After the game, mutual respect between Powell and Bolick went viral on social media as both players commended each other after the duel.

Despite the loss, it was still a convincing effort for NorthPort led by Bolick who finished the game with 33 points, five assists, and three rebounds.