SIX-SHOOTER: NorthPort aims to stay perfect vs Phoenix

Games today:

(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)

5 p.m. – Converge vs NLEX

7:30 p.m. – NorthPort vs Phoenix

NorthPort Batang Pier guns for a sixth straight win against winless Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters today in the Philippines Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Game time is at 7:30 p.m. as the Batang Pier targets an extension of their best start in franchise history.

NorthPort recently took out the Converge FiberXers, 108-101, and spoiled the debut of ace rookie Justine Baltazar.

Head coach Bonnie Tan expressed that they should stay on red alert especially against a hungry Phoenix side that is determined to win.

“First, it’s a good run for us, for this team. But during practices, we just discuss that we should always take it one game at a time,” Tan said.

“So, playing against an independent team like Converge, if we beat this team, there’s a good chance that we can beat Phoenix. So, last week, that’s how we set our mindset, that if we beat Magnolia, we can beat a big team like TNT.”

For Joshua Munzon, he doesn’t mind taking the shots as he is confident with his ability to score.

Munzon fired 30 points, including crucial triples in crunch time against the FiberXers.

“I just had the confidence in taking shots and told my teammates to let me take them. I’m happy they went in and we got the win,” Munzon said.

Apart from Munzon, import Kadeem Jack will also be leaned upon for NorthPort after a double-double game of 32 points and 15 rebound along with Arvin Tolentino, who got 21 points and 13 boards.

Donovan Smith will be the player to watch out for Phoenix after scoring 20 points in their 72-94 loss to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel last Friday.

Meanwhile, Converge, which has a 2-2 record,  will try to get a win when it faces NLEX in the first game at 5 p.m.

FiberXers head coach Franco Atienza believes Baltazar will perform better this time as they try to collect wins to get into the postseason of the midseason conference.

In his PBA debut, Baltazar had five points, four rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 20 minutes of action.

“We’re not even talking about our position in the next round. If we want to make the playoffs, we must take care of business in our remaining games here in the eliminations,” Atienza said.

“We have to take care of tomorrow first then think about Thursday and then think about Saturday.”

Jordan Heading will be the one to watch for the FiberXers after scoring 30 points against the Batang Pier.

NLEX, which has a 3-2 record, will be leaning on Mike Griffin-Watkins who had 27 points on top of 21 rebounds.