VETERAN coach Pido Jarencio and his coaching staff are expected to return in NorthPort’s much-awaited game against league-leader Talk N Text in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

This will be first game of Jarencio and assistant coaches Rensy Bajar, Jeff Napa and Jaren Jarencio after more than three weeks of absence due to healthy and safety protocols.

Game time is 3 p.m. with Jarencio and the Batang Pier seeking to extend their three-game winning streak against Blackwater, Terrafirma and NLEX.

The three victories, which put Batang Pier in solo sixth place with a 4-3 win-loss record, came with team manager Bonnie Tan calling the shots.

Now, Jarencio and the Batang Pier hope to make it four wins in a row against the hottest team in the league so far — Talk N Text.

“Ang gandang welcome back sa akin, TNT agad ang kalaban,” said Jarencio shortly after the final schedule for the week was released by the league on Tuesday afternoon.

“Pero ganoon talaga. Tignan na lang natin kung papaano magiging practice ng mga bata mamaya. Naka-focus naman ang mga players and ready kami.” added Jarencio.

Jarencio is expected to rely anew on Robert Bolick who was earlier named as “Player of the Week” by the PBA Press Corps, and Jamie Malonzo in the big game against Talk N Text.

Bolick averaged 19.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.7 assists in the Batang Pier’s three straight wins that put them in contention for a quarterfinals berth.

Malonzo finished with 13 points, 14 rebounds and five assists in their 96-94 win over NLEX.

Greg Slaughter, however, remains questionable after also missing the game against NLEX.

The Tropang Giga, however, have also won their last two assignments and assured themselves of a quarterfinals berth with 8-1 slate.

The Tropang Giga are also seeking a top two finish at the end of the 11-game eliminations to gain a twice-to-beat advantage against a lower-ranked opponent.

Meanwhile, Phoenix Super LPG and Barangay Ginebra collide in a crucial encounter at 6 p.m.

Both the Fuel Masters and the Gin Kings must sweep their remaining games to gain outright entry into the quarterfinals.

“We still have a lot of things to work on as a team. Good thing about us is we have control of our destiny. So, we just have to grind it out in our last two games,” said Phoenix coach Topex Robinson.

The Fuel Masters swept their last two games against Terrafirma and Blackwater to move into a tie with NLEX at 4-5.

Ginebra is half a game back at 3-5 after losing to San Miguel 102-111 and Talk N Text, 67-88.