PBA: NorthPort just ‘enjoying the game’ amid playoff push

NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Teams outside of the playoff picture may be scrambling at the end of the conference but not NorthPort.

The Batang Pier have turned their fortunes around in the latter stages of the 2021PBA Governors’ Cup but head coach Pido Jarencio said his team is just taking it one game a time despite the frantic playoff push.

NorthPort has been the hottest team in the second half of the conference winning four straight games, the longest streak of any team at this point, after starting the tournament at 0-5.

“There’s no sense of urgency, but what we’re doing is we’re just enjoying the game,” said Jarencio following the Batang Pier’s 116-103 win over Blackwater.

The victory managed to give NorthPort at least a share of the eighth spot in the standings, tying Phoenix with 4-5 records.

Unlike Jarencio’s team, the Fuel Masters are on a skid losing three straight with the last one against NorthPort, 101-93.

The Batang Pier also won their previous two games without starting point guard Robert Bolick, who he suited up for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Bolick, however, is back in the fold and was instrumental in NorthPort’s win against the Bossing with 30 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and three steals.

“We’re playing smart, we’re getting the breaks of the game, and we’re just going with the flow,” said Jarencio. “For the last three games we’re just taking it one game at a time. We get one, then we move on to the next, and then the next.”