NORTHPORT aims to stretch its unbeaten start and continue to be at least a joint leader but should experience a very rough going against Magnolia in their encounter Wednesday in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
A third straight win in the 5 o'clock encounter is in the crosshairs of the Batang Pier, while the Hotshots are bristling to bounce back from a sorry loss their last time out that dropped them to an even 1-1 slate.
The protagonists' respective reinforcements should play their usual major roles.
Just two games into his first PBA stint Kadeem Jack seems to be the perfect fit for NorthPort, improving on a 25-point, six-rebound debut against NLEX by turning in 32 and 15 against Terrafirma just last Saturday.
"Kadeem is a positive player for us," said assistant coach Rensy Bajar of the 32-year-old, 6-9 Trinidadian-American, who even leads the team in prayers.
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"He brings energy and aggressiveness to the team and... as an import nakita namin ang pagiging leader niya talaga kaya nahihila niya 'yung mga local players," added Bajar.
Despite the start, a very far cry from the one NorthPort got off to en route to a 3-7 record in the last Governors' Cup, Bajar pointed out there is still some ironing needed in the team's game.
"We have a lot of things to do pa, especially sa defense," Bajar offered. "'Yung mga defensive schemes namin, iyun ang kailangan pa naming i-improve."
A lot more polishing is certainly needed in Magnolia's game, especially after the Hotshots squandered a 20-point third quarter lead and suffered a numbing 91-93 loss to Converge last Sunday.
Ricardo Ratliffe led the Hotshots with 25 points and 19 rebounds, but his effectiveness was clearly hampered by a gimpy right shoulder he injured in the first half of the FiberXers game.
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Should the injury continue to bother Ratliffe, veterans Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang, and Calvin Abueva, who sat out the Converge game due to a neck injury, should provide spur for the likes of Zavier Lucero, Jerick Ahanmisi and Jerom Lastimosa.
NorthPort's locals are already taking the cue from Jack, especially Arvin Tolentino, who churned out a 21-point, 13-rebound, 10-assist triple-double against Terrafirma.
"Leadership ng locals namin, sila Arvin, na kahit paano nag-ma-mature na sa mga games naming kaya ayun nadadala nila spirit ng team," said Bajar. "'Yung mga off the bench namin, especially the second group, talagang ginaganahan din sila pagdating ng game." (NC)
