AT THE HIGH PORT
For a team that is not used to having deep playoff runs, NorthPort has reasons to be pumped up after reaching the semifinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Batang Pier are raring to do more after rallying from a double-digit halftime deficit and weathering the Magnolia Hotshots’ last-ditch stand to take a 113-110 win in their quarterfinal match on Thursday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“We’re not satisfied yet. We want more,” declared William Navarro after his team lived up to its billing as the top seed of the playoffs and eliminated the more experienced Hotshots.
NorthPort repeated its semifinal appearances in the 2015-2016 Philippine Cup and 2019 Governors’ Cup, but is hungry to pull off what it has not done in its 13-year participation in the big league—reach the PBA Finals.
They could be hard-pressed to fulfill that goal as the Batang Pier face either Barangay Ginebra or the Meralco Bolts—two teams that know what it takes to win championships—in a best-of-seven series, which starts after the final window of the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Ginebra will be seeking to set up a date with NorthPort if it can complete a sweep of Meralco at 5 p.m. on Friday in Game 2 of their best-of-three quarterfinals. The Gin Kings took the opener two nights ago at Smart Araneta Coliseum, 100-92.
Supporting roles
Navarro was among those playing the supporting roles for import Kadeem Jack and Arvin Tolentino, who powered the Batang Pier to an incredible comeback in the third after the Hotshots took a 61-47 halftime lead.
Jack had 30 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, five steals and three blocks, while Tolentino showed why he is the front-runner for the Best Player of the Conference after scoring 25 points on top of four rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
By getting to the semifinals, Tolentino may have solidified his status for the coveted award, even if he finished second to San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo in statistical points. The failure of the Beermen to make the quarters ended Fajardo’s chances of a record-extending 12th BPC.
But Tolentino has other things he would like to focus on than the possibility of getting a career achievement.
Meanwhile, TNT was seeking to finish off guest team Hong Kong Eastern at press time in the other quarters match featuring a twice-to-beat stipulation and replicate NorthPort’s feat by getting to the semifinals.
If the Tropang Giga prevail, they’ll wait the result of the best-of-three series between the Rain or Shine ElastoPainters and Converge FiberXers, who will go for a sweep in Friday’s other Game 2.
Converge is seeking a breakthrough semifinals feat with a win in the 7:30 p.m. encounter.
