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2 weeks Ago
For the NorthPort Batang Pier, their journey does not end yet after clinching a spot in the PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals. The twice-to-beat NorthPort escaped Magnolia, 113-110, last Thursday and the franchise made its return to the semis after six years. Will Navarro, however, said they still consider themselves as underdogs despite ending the elimination round on the top spot and ousting a veteran-laden team in the Hotshots.
"We have a chip on our shoulder na people don't even talk about NorthPort even if we're number 1," Navarro said. "Underdog kami no matter what happens. We're not satisfied here.
We want more." Navarro and assistant coach Rensy Bajar revealed that the players had a meeting days before the quarterfinals match where they talked about their roles and what they needed to do to win the match. After accomplishing the first task of beating the Hotshots, Navarro said they will now shift their focus to their next opponent which will be determined on Sunday.
"We still have a lot more games. It's okay to be happy today but the season's not over so we have to focus on the next game," Navarro added. NorthPort now will have a long preparation period as the league takes a break to give way for the February window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
For Bajar, the short break, hopefully, would be enough, particularly for injured players Damie Cuntapay and Sidney Onwubere, to recover. "We're just ready for whatever challenges na ibibigay sa amin. NorthPort will face either Barangay Ginebra or Meralco in the semifinals.
—GMA Integrated News.
