A quick bounceback and a quarterfinal drive booster are the main themes as Meralco and NorthPort clash in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup's first non-out-of-town Saturday gig at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
The Bolts (5-2) and the Batang Pier (3-4) go into the 5 p.m. duel determined to wheel back on track after stumbling losses in their previous outings against TNT (99-108) and Converge (99-107), respectively.
Down to three games each in Group A, reigning Philippine Cup kingpin Meralco and NorthPort are fully aware of the importance of grabbing this pull-around win.
For the Bolts, a safe passage to the crossover quarterfinals is virtually theirs if they take care of business versus NorthPort.
And coach Luigi Trillo and the Bolts would prefer to get in as soon as possible then pick up more momentum-building Ws as they cap group play versus Converge (Sept. 18) and Terrafirma (Sept. 21).
Sponsored content: But there's much urgency on the part of the Bonnie Tan-coached Batang Pier as they are in the chase pack of the race for the Magic 4 in their bracket. They sit in a share of fourth and fifth with the FiberXers (3-4) behind Magnolia (4-3), second-running Meralco and pacesetting TNT (6-1).
And it's going to be a tough path to the Last-8.
After Meralco, which beat NorthPort in the first round via a 109-99 verdict last Sept. 1, the Batang Pier are slated for return matches against Magnolia (Sept. 20) and TNT (Sept. 22).
That's why it's imperative for hard-working import Venky Jois and locals aces led by Arvin Tolentino, Joshua Munzon and William Navarro to be at their very best and get their final push off and running versus Meralco's three-time Best Import Allen Durham, Season 48 Philippine Cup Finals MVP Chris Newsome, Chris Banchero and Bong Quinto. (OL)
