FILE–Northport Batang Pier in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Despite a crucial loss at the hands of Terrafirma in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday, Northport remained optimistic about its chances of making the playoffs.
After a heartbreaking 110-108 loss at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Joshua Munzon made it clear the Batang Pier still believe they could advance to the next round of the All-Filipino conference.
“It was tough but we have to find a way. That’s it and that’s our job. We believe, though,” said Munzon with Inquirer Sports.
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“We believe we could still make the quarters but we just have to keep going, keep believing and stick together at this time.”
The game was determined in the dying minutes courtesy of a contested layup from Terrafirma star Stephen Holt.
HOLT THE RUN!
Stephen Holt sinks a heavily contested layup to lift Terrafirma up over Northport by two, 110-108.
3.1 to go in the game. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/7aWgKgWHyk
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 24, 2024
With the score tied at 108-all, Holt drove the lane and scored on a layup with 3.1 seconds to go to cap off his 22-point exhibition that broke the hearts of the Batang Pier.
“We had a lack of communication on the defensive end. It happens,” explained Munzon, who struggled in the field for just seven points.
READ: PBA: Terrafirma boosts quarterfinals after edging NorthPort
With a 4-6 record, Northport is sitting in the eighth seed with Blackwater very much behind with a 3-5 card.
Munzon, though, knows that to lock up the last quarterfinals seat, the squad will need to treat each game with high importance.
“We have to erase this, bounce back and get a win on Saturday. I think that’s the biggest thing, bouncing back. We just have to refocus, control what we can control to try and bounce back.”
In three days, Northport will wage back to war against the aforementioned Bossing at Caloocan Sports Complex.