NORTHPORT should be in for a very tough challenge when it takes on a Converge crew with an all-consuming purpose Wednesday in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the PhilSports Arena.
The FiberXers have yet to win after five games and Batang Pier coach Bonnie Tan has repeatedly echoed a stern warning to his players in their bid to rack up a second straight win and improve to a 4-2 record.
"Siyempre, facing Converge they've lost all their games. Pero except for a couple siguro, the rest close lahat," related Tan. "Sana hindi isa amin makuha unang panalo nila."
One major factor for his team, added Tan, is for it not to look at its immediate horizon, which will have it play San Miguel Beer on Friday and Meralco on Sunday.
"First time na mangyayari ito sa akin, ewan lang sa ibang players namin. Pero back-to-back-to-back? Never para sa akin," quipped Tan, while maintaining that the Converge game is just as crucial as their other two upcoming matches.
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"Sabi ko nga, out of the three, ito pinaka-beatable, based sa rankings. Sana huwag palampasin. Then sana maka-tsamba pa sa remaining games," said Tan.
Giving Tan some measure of optimism is the fact his side is coming off a 128-123 overtime win over powerhouse TNT last Friday. As an aftermath, he rewarded his players two days off, especially those he would need to counter the pressure defense and up-tempo game the FiberXers are known for.
"Saka makatulong two-day break na ibinigay ko sa mga players, para hindi sila stressed, hindi sila pagod," said Tan.
There is another item on NorthPort's list of must-do things against Converge, which is coming off a 98-99 heartbreaker to Phoenix last Saturday.
The FiberXers are also known for throwing up more three-pointers than any other team, chucking up 53 against SMB and 45 against the Fuel Masters, bringing their average to 41.40 per game. Sadly for coach Aldin Ayo, his charges make only an average of 12 an outing for 29 percent.
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That fact doesn't give Tan much comfort. "Actually, kami ang worst sa three-point shooting," he explained while citing his crew's 7.40-of-29.40 shooting from beyond the arc (25 percent).
"Pero against Converge, nakasulat sa board namin iyan," added Tan, "na sana iyung strength nila, which is volume shots sa 3-points, hindi mag-click sa amin." (NC)
