NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan in the PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—While the anticipation for first round pick Zavier Lucero is at an all-time high, NorthPort is also looking forward to fielding another one of its first-rounders in Cade Flores.
Flores, who was chosen by the Batang Pier as the 11th overall pick in the 2023 PBA Draft, will be treated the same way JM Calma did.
And coach Bonnie Tan is more than excited to make it happen.
“Same treatment as JM Calma, who I also faced in the NCAA. I can’t forget Arellano beating Letran because Cade was the best player in that game,” said Tan in Filipino during the PBA Media Day at One Esplanade in Pasay on Tuesday.
“I’m excited that that type of opponent will be my player.”
Tan was pertaining to the game back in September of last year when Arellano snapped Letran’s 14-game winning streak.
Flores was the best player of that game with 18 points and nine rebounds and it seemed like then-Knights coach Tan was keeping tabs since then.
“Hopefully, we get to use Cade like JM in the last conference where he (JM) met the expectations of being a rookie and he showed who JM Calma really is.”
Of course, that all seems like the blueprint for now but come January, Tan will be dealing with a “good problem” when both Will Navarro and Lucero come off their respective injuries.
“For me, it’s a good problem when Zav, Will and even Arvin Tolentino come back with JM and Cade. It’s really a good problem for me,” said Tan, who could also have Robert Bolick back with the Batang Pier negotiating the star guard’s potential return.
“Both of them (Lucero and Navarro) are expected to be back in January. It’s been okay, I spoke to their rehab doctors and they’re doing well. It’s all on time.”
Flores and NorthPort will begin their Commissioners’ Cup stint on November 10 against the Terrafirma Dyip at Araneta Coliseum.