ANTIPOLO - NorthPort skipper Sean Anthony hopes to fast-track his return to tip top form and help the Batang Pier climb out of their current a three-game slump in the PBA Governors' Cup.
Anthony, who underwent surgery to remove bone spurs in his left ankle after the PBA Commissioner's Cup playoffs, played his first game back after a six-week layoff during the Petron Saturday Special duel with Blackwater at Ynares Center here.
He finished with six points on a 3-of-14 field goal shooting, collared eight rebounds, issued five assists and had two steals in nearly 28 minutes of action as NorthPort absorbed a 98-107 loss to Blackwater.
"First time playing 5-on-5 since last conference. I'm still trying to get my rhythm and my lungs," said Anthony.
The Fil-Am only had one practice with NorthPort prior to returning to action.
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"(Joined our pratice) just yesterday (Friday). just had half-court," he said.
"It's good to get up and down and play full court finally. Now I've got some rhythm going. Hopefully in the next game, get my lungs going and play a little better," he added.
The Batang Pier trailed by 10 after 24 minutes of play, charged back strong after restart to wrest the upperhand at 52-51, only for the Elite to retake control and restore a fresh double-digit cushion, 73-63.
Determined to break their two-game skid, the Elite kept their foot firmly on the accelerator until the very end to improve to 1-2 and extend NorthPort's (1-3) current woes.
"We had some lapses on the defensive end and they exploited those and they outplayed us," Anthony admitted.
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Anthony and Co. face tremendous oddsas they try to rebound in their next game with rampaging TNT KaTropa on the other side of the floor on Wednesday.
"We should come together...I gotta step up and get back and be ready," said Anthony. (OL)
