NORTHPORT and Terrafirma meet anew Sunday with each hoping to score a win despite some nagging manpower problems in the PBA Governors' Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Gametime is at 5:15 p.m. with the Batang Pier aiming to cut short a two-game slide and improve to an even 3-3 record in Group A.
Worse off are the Dyip, who have yet to realize a breakthrough win in five previous starts in the same bracket and now facing the specter of not being included among the top four teams advancing to the next round following the 10-game intragroup stage.
At first glance, it seems NorthPort has the edge and not only because of its initial 112-93 conquest of Terrafirma the first time they met Aug. 23.
The Dyip have already struggled with usual top gunner Juami Tiongson nursing a left calf injury to start the season before finally suffering a partial tear on his hamstring last Sept. 1.
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And then new acquisitions Stanley Pringle and Christian Standhardinger found it hard to fully adjust to their new team. Ditto for Antonio Hester, a last-minute replacement after original import Brandon Edwards suffered a pre-season injury.
Testament to Terrafirma's woes are its averages of 115.4 points given up against 94.2 scored.
Injuries are also NorthPort's main concern going to the match with import Venky Jois and William Navarro both nursing sprains that made their status Sunday a gametime decision.
The importance of the game is not lost on Batang Pier coach Bonnie Tan. "It's crucial for us," he said.
"Given the short duration of the conference and after two losses, we need to bounce back strong if we want to enter the quarterfinals," added Tan.
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"We'll be striving hard for a win, even with Navarro and Venky still listed as day-to-day." (NC)
