NORTHPORT stakes more than its winning streak on the line when it faces TNT Friday at the resumption of their PBA Philippine Cup campaign at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Batang Pier are eyeing a fourth straight win and a 4-1 record overall that would give them at least a share of second-running spot, depending on the result of the match between 3-0 leader San Miguel Beer and 3-1 Barangay Ginebra later in the evening.
For their part, the Tropang Giga want nothing more than to get back on track following an 89-91 loss to SMB last March 17 and improve their own slate at 3-2.
Coach Chot Reyes admitted the task is cut out for both him and his Tropa as they try to hold the Batang Pier below their usual production of 106.5 ppg. “It’s gonna be tough,” he said on the eve of the match.
“NorthPort is well-constructed, balanced, athletic and long,” added Reyes. “It’s a very well-coached team that’s deep and leads the league in offense.”
Understandably, NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan has his own concerns that dwell mostly on how his side contends with TNT’s decidedly more powerhouse cast while shaking off the rust that developed following the long break they had since their last game on March 10.
“Maganda naman ang pina-practice ng mga bata, pero siyempre iba ang actual game,” said Tan. “Sana nasa timing pa rin sila and ‘yung confidence level sana nandoon pa rin.”
Giving Tan additional confidence boost is the return of William Navarro, who was reactivated vice Jeff Chan, relegated to the team’s injured list due to some hamstring issues.
With Navarro back from a two-game absence due to flu-like symptoms, NorthPort will have more weapons aside from Arvin Tolentino, Cade Flores, JM Calma, Joshua Munzon, Paul Zamar and Zav Lucero, who is celebrating his birthday Friday.
“Kailangan namin talaga na everybody on board kasi we need to defend TNT’s main weapons, lalo na sila (Calvin) Oftana, (Jayson) Castro, (Roger) Pogoy,” said Tan.
Tan also stressed the importance of his players focusing on the task at hand and not worry about a hectic schedule for the month that would see them finish all their elimination round games by April 27.
“Kung ano lang ang nasa harapan naming doon lang muna kami nakatutok para hindi naman ma-pressure lalo ang mga bata,” said Tan. (NC)
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