IF THE reports are proven true, NorthPort is about to be handed a very welcome gift on a silver platter.
Still, the Batang Pier must put in a lot of work when they take on a Rain or Shine crew expected to play all-Filipino anew Saturday in the PBA Governors Cup at the PhilSports Arena.
Coach Yeng Guiao could not be contacted for comment, but insiders from within the Elasto Painters camp say the team has put on hold its plans of bringing in another replacement import pending the result of the match. Game time is 4:30 p.m.
After NorthPort, Rain or Shine tangles with San Miguel Beer at the end of the 11-game eliminations on March 17.
"We will wait for the outcome muna siguro kung ano mangyayari sa Saturday bago kami pipili ng import," related one insider. "Pero against NorthPort, for sure all-Filipino kami ulit."
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Another team official said Rain or Shine actually started looking for a new prospect after Jordan Tolbert, hurriedly brought in after original replacement Greg Smith II got injured, was found to be over the maximum height ceiling, forcing the E-Painters to play without a reinforcement in a 106-114 loss to Phoenix Super LPG just last Wednesday.
Then things were put in their proper perspective. "Kaysa daw kumuha kami agad na sure namang hindi na aabot in time for the NorthPort game," said the second source, admitting one replacement being considered is Dar Tucker, who saw action for Jordan in the recent World Cup windows.
That should be very good news indeed for NorthPort, which is currently tied with Rain or Shine and Terrafirma for ninth-running spot on identical 2-7 records.
A win by the Batang Pier over the E-Painters, plus another victory over TNT on March 15, would fan the former's hopes of tying for eighth and then playing off for the last quarterfinals berth.
Such a dream scenario for NorthPort, however, comes with the clause that the Fuel Masters emerge from the elims also with only four wins.
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Keeping their hopes alive following a 0-6 start to the season-ending conference is something the Batang Pier have to put extra effort in since the E-Painters are not going down without a fight, like in the Phoenix game when they outscored the Fuel Masters, 60-47, in the second half to make it interesting after falling behind by 23 points early.
"Positive pa naman si coach Yeng, pati players," bared the first insider. "Kasi the locals have been playing well, except lang na we want them to play four good quarters, not only two." (NC)
