IN his return after more than a year from a major injury, William Navarro liked what he saw at Northport.
What he saw was a team making giant strides and slowly getting respect from the top teams of the PBA. He predicted they may even get to the finals if the stars aligned. He believes the Batang Pier will give the PBA elite teams a run for their money once they get their act together.
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“Malaki 'yung potential sa nakikita ko. We’re tall, tsaka nakakatakbo kaming lahat. We were the first sa transition offense last conference (Commissioner’s Cup),” noted Navarro, who is in his second year in the league.
“Kayang umabot ito ng finals para sa akin. As long as maging sure kami sa anong ginagawa sa sistema namin.”
In its first two outings in the Philippine Cup, Northport lost one and won one, both in overtime.
It lost to NLEX in a tightly-fought game, 107-100, and then climbed its way back from 18 points down in the third quarter to defeat Converge, 112-104, in overtime.
In both games, Navarro played major minutes and delivered double-double numbers, including 16 points and 11 rebounds in the win over the FiberXers.
He averaged 14 points and 12 rebounds in his first two games after coming back from an ACL injury.
“I’m just happy na nakabalik ako. Kahit paano naka-perform ako ng OK at may impact ako sa team,” said Navarro, who did not play for more than a year after going down with the major injury in December 2022 during the Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals against Barangay Ginebra.
The former Ateneo standout, selected by Northport in 2021 Gilas draft pool, had to endure regular five-hour rehabs in order to regain his strength and flexibility. Like many with the same injury, the road back was long, tiring and difficult.
But he's finally returned and a lot has changed at Northport since he left.
Gone were Robert Bolick, former MVP Arwind Santos, Kevin Ferrer, Jerrick Balanza, Roi Sumang, Kent Salado, MJ Ayaay, Louie Vigil, Art dela Cruz, and Prince Caperal.
Arvin Tolentino has since taken over the leadership role for the Batang Pier, who also now boast of a unit teeming with youth and athleticism in Joshua Munzon, Allyn Bulanadi, JM Calma, Kris Rosales, and rookies Brent Paraiso, Fran Yu, Cade Flores, and Zav Lucero.
With him and Lucero joining the team in the season-ending conference, Navarro said it may take a while before the Batang Pier get their act together.
"Kailangan namin na mag-gel pa as a team," he said. "Yung connection namin sa isa’t isa kailangan mas pulido, kailangan aralin pa talaga namin yung mga plays,” he said.
When that day comes, which he believes is not far away, Navarro has no doubt the team has the capacity to go far.
“Makikita mo merong something special dito sa grupo,” he said.
The Batang Pier return to the court on Friday when they face the debuting Phoenix Fuel Masters.
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