NORTHPORT is off to one of its finest starts in years, and the Batang Pier are certainly hoping to sustain their run of good form entering the tough stretch of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Batang Pier are at 4-2 (win-loss), their best record through six games in a conference since they went 5-1 to start the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup where they ended up second in the eliminations with a 9-2 win-loss record before being ousted by eventual champion San Miguel in the quarterfinals.
After recording that mark four years ago, NorthPort posted below .500 records through six games in five of the seven conferences including an 0-6 mark in the 2023 Governors’ Cup.
NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan admitted the team is on course to hit the targets it set before the start of the Commissioner’s Cup.
“As of now, ‘yung standing namin, we are 4-2,” said Tan. “I don’t want to pressure my players before the start of the conference. Ang request ko lang sa kanila is to reach the playoffs. ‘Yun ang objective namin. We are targeting five wins sana.”
Just like in the 2019 campaign where the Batang Pier were led by big man Prince Ibeh and Robert Bolick, the current crop also has a reliable import and local support.
Venky Jois has been a good fit for the Batang Pier. The Australian import is so far averaging 28.2 points, 15.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.8 steals, and 2.0 blocks.
Coming off an Asian Games stint, Arvin Tolentino is on pace for a career year with averages of 22.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 steals through six games.
Joshua Munzon has also been a revelation as he has averaged 13 points and 3.3 assists (best among locals), while rookie Cade Flores has near double-double numbers of 11.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per contest.
“Sa preseason, we did well sa mga tune-ups but again because of the way na nagko-contribute lahat, from our rookies, mga bigs, to guards, ‘yun ‘yung nawala sa amin sa back-to-back losses namin. We challenged our guys to step up,” said Tan.
Assessing the field, Tan said NorthPort must beat the traditional title contenders in order to clinch a playoff berth. They were able to do so when the Batang Pier defeated TNT in overtime, 128-123, last December 1.
“We discussed ‘yung mga teams na beatable. We lost some but in the end, if we lost to some beatable teams, sabi ko we need to get an upset sa mga big teams,” said Tan.
Tan made special mention of his rookies, who also been vital to the current winning run. Fran Yu has been solid over the past two games with averages of 12.5 points and 4.5 assists during the winning streak.
“During our first four games lalo na ‘yung back-to-back losses namin, ‘yung nagpo-point guard sa amin, hindi sila nagko-contribute. I’m happy na in the last two games, they are playing well. Nakakasabay na sila sa mga veterans ng PBA."
The true test though comes this week for the Batang Pier as they have already started a three-game stretch over five days that began with a 111-95 win over winless Converge.
NorthPort also has San Miguel and Meralco as foes on Friday and Sunday, which own records of 3-1 and 4-1 respectively.
“We are facing San Miguel and Meralco this week. Hopefully, we can get an upset win again,” said Tan.
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