NorthPort plays its first game in 19 days on Wednesday, staking its hold of the solo lead versus surging Barangay Ginebra in an explosive match at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. in what is the start of a tough stretch for Kadeem Jack and his teammates in the PBA Commissioner's Cup elims where they play heavyweights in the Gin Kings, the Meralco Bolts, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters then the San Miguel Beermen.
They enjoy a view from the top through the first half of the elims, sporting a 6-1 win-loss card with a lone loss suffered at the hands of the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.
In their most recent outing, the Batang Pier smothered Hong Kong Eastern, 120-113, with Jack and Arvin Tolentino leading the way with 38 and 35 points, respectively.
Joshua Munzon, Will Navarro, Fran Yu, Evan Nelle and Sidney Onwubere have also been doing a good job, helping the franchise to a strong conference start that they hope would lead to a breakthrough in the playoffs.
Sponsored content:
Coach Bonnie Tan, however, is realistic they have long ways to go.
Surely a big test for the Batang Pier in their first game in 2025 is the Barangay Ginebra team which is on a romp with back-to-back wins over Magnolia and San Miguel Beer.
To start the new year, the Gin Kings clobbered the Beermen, 93-81, Sunday at the Big Dome and thus climbed up the ladder with a 5-2 slate.
"It's about the guys' hard work and preparation from Christmas Day onwards," said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
"The guys really came out and played great on the defensive side," Cone also said of his troops' effort holding the Beermen 20 points off their average.
Sponsored content:
Cone, however, is quick to say that the Batang Pier will be an entirely different test. (SB)
