NORTHPORT will look to regain its bearings after a mini-slump, getting a test against San Miguel in the main game of Tuesday’s doubleheader as the week-long Ynares Center swing of the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup continues.
Here’s something to pay attention to for today’s games.
BLACKWATER VS. PHOENIX
When: Tuesday, January 21. 5 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center
Blackwater fights to stay in the hunt for quarterfinals
Blackwater will be out to win its match-up against Phoenix. A loss will bump the Bossing out of the playoff picture. The Bossing are running 12th with a 2-8 win-loss slate after their 127-109 loss to Converge last Sunday.
Phoenix looks to arrest two-game skid and rekindle playoff bid
The Fuelmasters have lost two straight games after winning their first pair of matches in the new year, dropping a 108-94 decision to NLEX to go down to 11th with a 3-7 slate. Even with their recent struggles, Phoenix is still alive for a quarterfinal spot, but only if San Miguel loses to NorthPort in the second game.
Tungcab on the rise
If Blackwater will have a chance to win against Phoenix, Jaydee Tungcab must continue his recent resurgence. After missing five games midway through the the conference, Tungcab has scored in double figures over the last three games including the match against Converge when he had 18 of his 20 points in the second quarter of Blackwater’s loss to Converge.
Tio struggles
Tyler Tio’s numbers have dropped during the two-game losing skid, averaging 6.9 points on a combined 3-for-10 from the field. In the two-game winning streak to start 2025, Tio had averages of 13.0 points, while totaling 9-for-17 from the field.
NORTHPORT VS. SAN MIGUEL
When: Tuesday, January 21. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ynares Center
Out to arrest skids
After a stellar campaign, NorthPort has suffered successive losses to Meralco and Rain or Shine to go down from first place to a share of third with Eastern and Meralco at 7-3. The Batang Pier will be tested again by San Miguel in the day's main game.
San Miguel is also on a slump, losing three of its last four games including a 100-93 defeat to Meralco in Candon City, Ilocos Sur. The Beermen are at eighth with a 4-5 win-loss record, and a defeat will force a three-way tie for eighth with Magnolia and Phoenix.
Scoring down
NorthPort’s offense has been the reason for its early success, but it hasn’t produced enough to come away with victories, averaging 100.5 per outing in the two losses, down from 111.25 in its first eight games.
The Batang Pier also have a tendency to start slow in their three defeats, averaging 20 first-quarter points in those losses.
Debut of new import lot to be desired
Malik Pope didn’t provide huge numbers in his role as the fourth import of San Miguel this conference, posting only 14 points and nine rebounds, an underwhelming performance for a reinforcement that is being leaned upon to help the Beermen break out of their struggles. Pope must produce more against NorthPort.
San Miguel must cut down on errors
Turnovers have been an issue in San Miguel’s defeats, committing 19 in the losses to Meralco, bringing its average to 17.4 in losses. The Beermen tallied an average of 11.5 turnovers in wins.
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