Blackwater seeks share of lead, battles winless Northport
BLACKWATER wants a share of the lead with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel as it takes on winless Northport in the resumption of the Philippine Basketball Association Season 43 Governors’ Cup at 4: 30 p. m. today at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Elite, headed by import Henry Walker, are jumping into the fray against the Batang Pier with a 2- 0 win- loss record.
Leading team Ginebra is carrying a 3- 0 winloss record.
Blackwater has proven it is no longer a pushover team after upsetting big guns TNT KaTropa ( 104- 98) and San Miguel Beer ( 103- 100) prior to the one- week break giving way to the fourth window of the International Basketball Federation ( FIBA) Asian Qualifiers.
But Elite coach Bong Ramos warns his players that the return of Stanley Pringle and Sean Anthony has transformed the Batang Pier into a dangerous adversary.
“We are preparing against Northport and we really need to defend against them. They played a close game against Ginebra,” said Ramos, referring to Northport’s 98- 104 loss to the Gin Kings last September 5.
“Stanley Pringle and Sean Anthony are now playing. So even though they are winless, we should not underestimate them.”
Ramos is likely to rely anew on Walker who is averaging 29 points, 15.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists in two games.
Besides Walker, JP Erram is expected to return to Blackwater and play alongside Mike Digregorio, Nards Pinto, Allein Maliksi and Mac Belo, among others.
The Batang Pier, on the other hand, are hoping to snap a four- game slide.
In the 7 p. m. game, Phoenix ( 3- 1) battles Meralco ( 1- 2) for its fourth win in five games. The Bolts, for their part, want to avoid a three- game losing streak.
The Fuel Masters are banking on Matthew Wright, import Eugene Phelps and Calvin Abueva.
“We have been off for three and a half weeks so we have to focus on getting off to a good start,” said Meralco coach Norman Black, noting that Jarred Dilinger and Ranidel De Ocampo are still unavailable to play because of injury.
“Transition defense and keeping Phoenix off the offensive boards will be the key to the game.”