NORTHPORT opens its season with a significantly smaller lineup when it faces Rain or Shine on Thursday in the PBA Season 47 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Batang Pier and the Elastopainters tangle at 7:15 p.m.
NorthPort was left with an undersized lineup from previous seasons with seven-footer Greg Slaughter still to sign a contract and Troy Rike yet to report to the team.
“Wala kaming malaki,” said NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio, whose team recently signed former TNT 3x3 player Chris Javier just to add size to its frontcourt.
Aside from Javier, MJ Ayaay will also serve as a new face for NorthPort after being acquired from Barangay Ginebra in exchange for future draft picks.
Without Slaughter and Rike, the Batang Pier will have to rely heavily on Robert Bolick, sophomore Jamie Malonzo, and Arwind Santos, coming off a season where he won the a place in the Mythical First Team and All-Defensive Team at age 40.
The Elastopainters, on the other hand, will be looking for a fitting follow-up to their 79-77 win over Converge on opening day last Sunday.
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