RAIN or Shine and NorthPort will go into war with contrasting fates as of late, but Batang Pier coach Bonnie Tan is unfazed.
“We can’t be pressured ng mga circumstances namin,” Tan said. “Nandiyan na iyan so all we can do is to look forward to our remaining games.
“Makuha lang muna immediate objective namin, which is to get to the quarterfinals. Okay lang sa amin, kahit tuloy-tuloy laro. Pero sana manalo para maka-buwelo,” he added.
Whether NorthPort answers Tan’s call will be known when it faces the red-hot Elasto Painters today in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
The game is set at 4:30 p.m., with the Batang Pier aching to snap a two-game mini-slump, counting an 88-95 setback at the hands of the Ginebra Kings three nights back that dropped them to 4-3 in a tie with TNT for fifth.
Ditto with Blackwater, which has dropped its last four outings, when it faces a Magnolia crew armed with a two-game winning streak in the nightcap at 7:30.
A big bounce-back win would certainly serve Tan’s charges in good stead.
“Kailangan muna magkaroon ng confidence ulit. Kasi nga, after back-to-back losses medyo bumaba ang morale ng team,” Tan said. “Pero ang sabi ko nga sa mga players, we have to draw strength and energy from our three-week break before (during the All-Star Weekend and Holy Week) and then be consistent for the next three weeks.
“So far naman, nag-re-respond sila. Puno ng energy sa practice and positive pa rin ang attitude nila.”
With hardworking big man JM Calma doubtful due to a leg injury suffered in their duel with the Kings, NorthPort is expected to draw strength from the likes of Arvin Tolentino, Joshua Munzon, Cade Flores, Fran Yu, and William Navarro.
Rain or Shine’s resurgence typified by a four-game winning run gnaws at Tan.
“They’re the No. 1 scoring team ngayon, replacing us, so it’s a big challenge for both teams kasi parehong bata, parehong tumatakbo,” he said. “So, I think it’s going to be an exciting game.”
The Painters are coming off a 116-104 blasting of the Terrafirma Dyip last Saturday and will pin their hopes on Leonard Santillan, Andrei Caracut, Jhonard Clarito, Mac Belo, and Beau Belga in their bid to hike their 4-4 slate.
“Hindi mo ma-predict ang PBA games ngayon. If you’re not prepared, even the elite teams for that matter, hindi nakakasiguro ng panalo,” Hotshots tactician Chito Victolero said.
“That’s why you have to be in the proper mindset. As for us, we compete every single day in practice in the hope na madala namin iyan sa actual game.”
Magnolia scored a 107-93 drubbing of Phoenix last Sunday and will rely on Ian Sangalang, Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, Jio Jalalon and Calvin Abueva in its bid to improve its 3-2 card.
The Bossing are out to atone for an 86-105 whipping to the Kings last Friday in their attempt to improve their 3-4 record.
