Against Barangay Ginebra in Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs, Paolo Taha proved to be an unexpected hero for NorthPort.

On Wednesday night, the Batang Pier defeated the Gin Kings 108-103 to escape a humiliating whitewash at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, and the backup guard proved to be a thorn in the side of his old team.

Despite spending most of his time on the bench, Taha, who Ginebra moved to NorthPort in a one-for-one trade for Julian Sargent in 2018, has managed to stay with the Batang Pier, signing a three-year contract in 2022 that ends the following season.

In Game Four, the 34-year-old guard took full advantage of the opportunity.

Taha, who only participated in five games during the elimination stage, began for the Batang Pier in Game Four and finished with 11 points, three assists, and three steals in his 29 minutes and 55 seconds on the court.

“Down 0-3 na kami eh. The past few games naman, parang positive naman ‘yung mga games ko. Siguro naisipan nila coach na ilagay ako sa starting line-up,” said Taha “Okay naman. Maganda naman ang resulta. Big line-up, tapos we got the W’”.

Prior to being traded to NorthPort, Taha played for Ginebra from 2016 to 2018 and won a championship with the Gin Kings in the 2017 Governors’ Cup. He averaged 3.6 points in this conference’s elimination stage.

After dropping three games against his old squad by an average of 20.3 points, the six-foot guard was relieved that his colleagues took up the challenge.

Taha, who has previously played for Ginebra, is aware that the Gin Kings would be prepared to reply with the defeat, and NorthPort ought to be prepared for it.

When Barangay Ginebra lost to Northport in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series on Wednesday night, Tim Cone did not explicitly state that the team lacked effort.

But that’s how it appeared, anyway.

The Batang Pier scored a historic 108-103 victory at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, taking a commanding 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven matchup, but the Kings lacked the decisive instinct to end the series.

“It’s kind of a natural reaction being up 3-0, but it’s not something that we find acceptable, even though we know it can happen that way,” said Cone before leaving the Big Dome in a huff.

“It’s not acceptable for us. We should have been better tonight.”

Cone, however, is not devaluing Batang Pier, the top seed, who is participating in their first semifinal appearance in the previous six seasons.

The Batang Pier dominated the game’s tempo and took a 63-52 lead in the third period.

However, with 36 seconds remaining, the Kings made things interesting by getting within 104-103 thanks to a three-pointer from Stephen Holt.

Northport was unstoppable, as Arvin Tolentino and recruit Kadeem Jack scored four points in a row to seal the team’s crucial victory.

Game 4 will take place at the Big Dome on Friday as well.