WILLIAM Navarro is embracing the underdog tag for NorthPort even after being the first team to reach the semifinals of the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup.
Navarro said the Batang Pier are determined to continue their winning run after beating No. 8 Magnolia, 113-110, on Thursday in their thrilling quarterfinal encounter at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The top-seed Batang Pier will face either Barangay Ginebra or Meralco in the semifinals, the result of which could be determined as early as Friday with the Gin Kings looking to close the quarterfinals against the Bolts.
READ: NorthPort shows Magnolia the door with a gritty stand in endgame
But even after holding the best record in the conference, Navarro said his team still has a lot to prove, and is still not yet done after the quarterfinal win over Magnolia, last season’s Commissioner’s Cup runner-up.
“We have a chip on our shoulder na people don’t even talk about NorthPort even if we are No. 1,” said Navarro. “Underdog kami, no matter what happens. We are not satisfied here. We want more.”
Navarro led the Batang Pier bench mob in the win after churning 15 points, seven rebounds, and three steals to clinch a semifinal berth on the first game, avoiding a knockout match over the dangerous Hotshots.
But Navarro said there is still nothing to celebrate about even with the landmark win after the team reached the semifinals for the third time in franchise history, following their campaigns in the 2016 Philippine Cup and the 2019 Governors’ Cup.
“I’m happy for the franchise,” said Navarro. “Pero we still have more games. It’s okay to be happy today but the season is not over.”
“We have to focus on our next game. We have to watch ‘yung mananalo at ‘yung magiging kalaban namin. Celebrate for today and then focus on the next game,” he added.
Navarro said the win was truly a collective effort as each player had a contribution to the win either tangible or intangible.
“It’s not even about me. It’s about the team effort. I’m just happy na like in the second half, we shared the ball. That’s a key factor. ‘Yung effort, everybody’s effort ‘yung nakita sa court," he concluded
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