NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan hopes that their huge victory over Barangay Ginebra has proven their doubters wrong and shed the perception of the squad being just a “farm team.”

The Batang Pier weathered a late fourth quarter surge of the Kings to pull off a 119-116 victory to remain on top of the standings in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

NorthPort hiked its record to 7-1 and is assured of at least a playoff for a quarterfinals spot.

“Tonight’s game is a statement game for us. Everyone’s questioning our status as a team, that we can’t pull off wins over big teams. I hope with this win, we proved that we’re here to win games,” Tan said as his squad ended a five-year futility over Ginebra.

The victory was the Batang Pier’s first over the Kings since a 124-90 blowout in Game 1 of the Governors’ Cup semifinals back on 14 December 2019.

“We’re here to be competitive and not just pushovers,” Tan added after snapping a 14-game skid against the powerhouse club.

NorthPort displayed composure under tremendous pressure despite wasting an 18-point advantage and trailing by one with seven minutes left. The Batang Pier quickly recovered and hung tough in the furious closing stretch.

Import Kadeem Jack, who had 32 points including the split charities in the last second to ice the match, Best Player of the Conference contender Arvin Tolentino and Joshua Munzon led the way for NorthPort.

“NorthPort is for real. They played really well,” Ginebra mentor Tim Cone said.

“They gave our defense fits all game. And just that, they are for real. We had problems stopping them. Munzon and Arvin (they) are both playing at an MVP level, and their import is a great fit,” he added.

The Batang Pier’s last four games include matches against perennial playoff contenders Meralco, Rain or Shine, and San Miguel Beer.