IF THERE'S one team which used the long break to full use, it should be NorthPort.
During the two-week respite, which the PBA took to give way to the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers, the Batang Pier completely healed their injuries and got import Rashad Woods fully integrated into their system.
How NorthPort translates the work done into game should be known when it tangles with unbeaten but wary Blackwater Wednesday at the resumption of the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"We have to play consistent basketball, offensively and defensively, to beat Blackwater," simply said Batang Pier coach Pido Jarencio.
For their part, the Elite are looking for a third win in as many games that would give them a share of the lead with idle defending champion Barangay Ginebra -- quite an unfamiliar territory for the same team which wound up dead-last in the last Commissioner's Cup.
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The game could also be a veritable calm before the storm for Blackwater since it is set to take on the league's top-tier teams in its next six games.
Main reason why coach Bong Ramos can't stress enough the need for his squad to get the job at hand done.
"Wednesday's game is very important for us," said Ramos. "We need to get that win."
The team formerly known as GlobalPort has remained winless after four outings and even dropped its first three games by an average of 24.6 points.
But when Stanley Pringle, who was part of the national team in the Asian Games, and Sean Anthony, previously sidelined by a calf injury, suited up and finally saw action, the Batang Pier put up a gallant stand against Ginebra before dropping a 98-104 decision last Sept. 5.
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Woods has been sterling thus far, averaging 34.3 points, 8.25 rebounds and 5.65 dimes per outing and he is sure to be more familiar now with Pringle, Anthony and the other NorthPort locals -- a fact not lost on Ramos.
"We cannot underestimate NorthPort's standing. Natalo sila sa Ginebra in a very close game," noted Ramos.
"We need to focus on our defense to get the win. Pringle and Anthony are a big factor. Plus, their import is slowly adjusting to the game in the PBA."
What should help boost Ramos' optimism was the superb plays of his crew, led by Henry Walker.
More than his averages of 29 points, 14.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists, Walker has given Blackwater tons of leadership and the likes of Allein Maliksi and John Pinto are foremost among those who heeded the call.
That resulted in the Elite first stunning the heavily-favored TNT KaTropa 104-98 in overtime, before pulling off an equally shocking 103-100 upset of mighty San Miguel Beer.
"I hope we continue to win," said Ramos.(NC)
