By REYNALD MAGALLON
NorthPort has certainly put the rest of the league on notice when it finished as top seed at the end of the eliminations.
But despite that, only a few seemed to consider the Batang Pier to be a legitimate contender.
NorthPort forward William Navarro hoped Thursday’s quarterfinals game changed that.
The Batang Pier showed great poise only seen to those who can contend for the crown and eliminated Magnolia, 113-110, in a contest that proved the team’s success is far from being a fluke.
“We have a chip on our shoulder na people don’t even talk about NorthPort even if we are No. 1. Underdog kami, no matter what happens,” said Navarro who also had a game for himself with 15 points and seven rebounds to help the Batang Pier overcome the gritty Hotshots.
And not only that the Batang Pier proved that they are a real deal but also that they are more than just the trio of Arvin Tolentino, Joshua Munzon and import Kadeem Jack.
Aside from Navarro, guys like rookie Evan Nelle, Cade Flores and Allyn Bulanadi all made significant contributions in the win.
Bulanadi and Nelle had 12 apiece while Flores chipped in 10 points and nine rebounds to make up for the off night of Munzon and complement the 31 points from Jack and 25 from Tolentino.
“I’m happy for the franchise,” said Navarro as NorthPort makes a semifinals appearance for the first time in five years.
While it’s already an achievement for a team often dragged into ‘’farm team’ talks, Navarro said the team is far from being satisfied.
“We are not satisfied here. We want more,” he said. “W still have more games. It’s okay to be happy today but the season is not over.”
“We have to focus on our next game. We have to watch ‘yung mananalo at ‘yung magiging kalaban namin. Celebrate for today and then focus on the next game,” he stressed.
