HOW NorthPort keeps its focus and Blackwater plays through its struggles would be known in their PBA Governors' Cup match-up Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Gametime is 3 p.m.
At first glance, the odds seem to favor the Batang Pier since they have managed to shrug off a key absence and a spate of injuries to win three straight and stay in the hunt for one of the eight quarterfinals berths.
For their part, the Bossing have yet to win despite eight tries, stretching their league-worst exercise in futility to 27 straight games.
Worse, a 100-109 loss to Barangay Ginebra last Friday officially took Blackwater out of the playoffs race for the fourth straight conference.
NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio said the fact that the Bossing are now just looking to end their winless streak makes the latter even more dangerous.
"Ganyang kalaban ang pinaka-delikado, 'yung nothing to lose?" quipped Jarencio. "Lahat naman ng kalaban ni-re-respeto namin, pero higit na hindi dapat i-underestimate iyang Blackwater na kumbaga may built-in motivation."
Jarencio could also be talking about his own team.
Like Blackwater, NorthPort started the tournament winless after five games following pre-conference major changes and key absences that resulted in chemistry problems.
Those concerns have since been replaced by injuries as the likes of Art dela Cruz and Jonathan Grey have remained in the sidelines, with Kevin Ferrer and Roi Sumang recently following suit. Even Robert Bolick had to miss one game due to his stint with Gilas Pilipinas.
Still, the Batang Pier persisted and have been amply rewarded thus far with import Jamel Artis, ageless Arwind Santos and rookie Jamie Malonzo mostly leading the way.
"'Yung fighting heart nandoon, 'yung will to win nandoon," was how Jarencio mainly explained his team's rise, which has so far been punctuated by a 101-93 win over Phoenix Super LPG last Saturday.
"Naka-settle na players, alam na nila roles nila, kung kailan sila papasok," added Jarencio. "Nagkaka-amuyan na."
The good news for NorthPort is that both Bolick and Ferrer are back to help the side in its remaining elimination round push that includes games against Terrafirma on Saturday and TNT on March 15. (NC)(PBA)
(Photo credits to: Inquirer Sports)