NorthPort Batang Pier’s Joshua Munzon against Magnolia Hotshots during a PBA Commissioner’s Cup game.
A quarterfinal return seems to be a likely destination for unbeaten NorthPort with the way it is playing in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with three straight wins and a share of the lead.
But the Batang Pier know that a great start won’t matter if they couldn’t sustain their form, which will be tested Sunday against a TNT Tropang Giga side still in the process of regaining the play that allowed them to win the Governors’ Cup crown a month earlier.
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“If we continue playing what we’ve been playing with our transition game and rebounding, it will definitely push us towards the playoffs,” Joshua Munzon said ahead of the Batang Pier’s 5 p.m. meeting with the Tropang Giga at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Defending champion San Miguel Beer guns for win No. 2 against NLEX at 7:30 p.m. to conclude the second week of the midseason tournament.
The Beermen squeaked past the Phoenix Fuel Masters and will hope to play better this time with reinforcement Quincy Miller, originally tapped for the East Asia Super League but was eventually given the PBA job after Troy Baxter failed to secure a clearance.
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‘Good decision’
The Batang Pier has never been 4-0 since joining the league in 2012, having won their matches against the NLEX Road Warriors, Terrafirma Dyip and, most recently, the Magnolia Hotshots, who they edged 107-103 last Wednesday.
Main gunner Arvin Tolentino, Munzon and even rookie guard Evan Nelle have been among the most vital reasons for NorthPort’s early surge, along with import Kadeem Jack.
Jack, who came in as a last-minute signing after NorthPort initially tapped Kavell Bigby-Williams, has averages of 29.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks.
“It was a good decision,” said Jack when told of the NorthPort switch. “I just come out every game and bring the same energy.”
TNT’s bid for another title got off to a rough start with a 105-84 defeat at the hands of guest team Hong Kong Eastern last Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Tropang Giga tried to keep close with Eastern, but eventually lost steam in the fourth quarter, prompting coach Chot Reyes to field in his second unit.
The Commissioner’s Cup opener of TNT also got off on the wrong foot when Poy Erram was tossed with a Flagrant Foul 2 for hitting Eastern’s Glen Yang four minutes into the game.
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TNT will hope to play better this time, shake off some championship hangover and get on the win column. INQ