NEW year, new hopes for NorthPort Batang Pier.

The Batang Pier hope to open the new year with a bang when they take on struggling Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Game time is 4 p.m. with the Batang Pier looking to win the first PBA game of the new year 2024 and boost their chances of reaching the quarterfinal round.

But the Batang Pier of coach Bonnie Tan know achieving the crucial six-win mark will not be a walk in the park, especially after closing out the previous year with a two-game losing skid.

Before the holiday break, the Batang Pier looked well on the way to the next round with a 5-2 win-loss record before suffering back-to-back losses to Meralco (99-125) and Phoenix Super LPG (104-110).

Tan, who took over the coaching reins last year, blamed inconsistency as the biggest challenge for the youth-laden team, which went on a rollercoaster ride so far.

The Batang Pier opened the conference with two consecutive wins before losing the next two games and rebounding with three straight victories and losing two more games for a 5-4 mark.

With former lead gunner Robert Bolick moving to NLEX in a blockbuster trade late last year, NorthPort turned to Arvin Tolentino, who emerged as the league’s leading local scorer with an impressive average of 23.22 points per game.

Tolentino’s impressive display under Tan and the presence of the hard-working import in Venky Jois also had a positive impact on former top draft pick Joshua Munzon and emerging talents like Cade Flores, Fran Yu, and Brent Paraiso.

A victory would also eliminate potential complications for NorthPort in the intense competition for the three remaining quarterfinal berths, with TNT (4-5), Rain or Shine (4-5), NLEX (3-7), and even Terrafirma (2-7) in the mix.

Furthermore, securing a spot in the Final 8 would instill confidence and momentum in the Batang Pier as they approach their final elimination-round challenge against the playoffs-bound Barangay Ginebra on Sunday.

The Jeff Cariaso-coached Bossing, however, could make things complicated.

The Bossing are determined to conclude the season on a high note, aiming to make a significant impact in their last two games and build positive momentum for the upcoming conference.

In the 8 p.m. mainer, Rain or Shine is set to face TNT Tropang Giga in a battle to break the tie for seventh place.

The Elasto Painters are riding the momentum of a four-game winning streak that concluded their 2023 campaign.

The Tropang Giga, on the other hand, aim to halt a two-game slide and regain their footing in the competition.

Games Friday:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. — Blackwater vs.NorthPort
8 p.m.– Rain or Shine vs. TNT

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya