HAPPY. No issues. Winners.
There are no secrets in NorthPort’s fast start in the season-opening tourney — the Batang Pier are just playing without problems from within and jiving as one cohesive unit, according to coach Pido Jarencio.
“Pumupunta sila sa practice na masaya lahat, on one-page lang lahat, walang problema, walang issues,” Jarencio said.
“Kailangan iyong team ganoon, nage-enjoy kayong lahat and alam ninyo iyong magiging roles ninyo bawat isa and then everybody is doing their share,” he added.
NorthPort seeks its third straight win and the solo lead when it battles Magnolia today in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The curtain-raiser is set at 3 o’clock before Ginebra clashes with Rain or Shine in the nightcap at 6 p.m.
The Batang Pier began their campaign in the last Governors Cup with five straight loses but have won their first two games in the import-less tilt, counting a 100-86 drubbing of Terrafirma four days ago.
“Ang maganda sa team na ito, maliliit, medyo undersized tayo pero lahat nagtutulungan,” Jarencio said. “Mahirap talunin iyong ganoon lalo na kapag buo ang team at nagtutulungan.”
The likes of Robert Bolick, Jamie Malonzo, Kevin Ferrer, and Arwind Santos will lead NorthPort’s charge.
The Hotshots are raring to crash the winner’s circle after dropping their first two outings.
Ian Sangalang, Calvin Abueva, Jio Jalalon, and Mark Barroca will be counted upon by Magnolia in its bid to make up for a numbing 82-89 overtime loss to Converge last Friday and join San Miguel Beer for joint second.
The Kings, despite not yet being in game shape following their title triumph in the last Governors Cup, still found a way out and nipped Blackwater 85-82 last Sunday.
Foremost among those expected to spearhead Ginebra’s attack are reigning MVP Scottie Thompson, Christian Standhardinger, Japeth Aguilar, Stanley Pringle, Arvin Tolentino, and LA Tenorio.
The Elasto Painters, coming off an 81-94 defeat to the Batang Pier six days ago, will pin their hopes on Rey Nambatac, Beau Belga, Leonard Santillan, and Mike Nieto to improve its 1-1 slate and break a three-way tie with the Bossing and NLEX.
