Elite seek lead share vs winless B Pier

National players Poy Erram, Allein Malicsi, Stanley Pringle and Matthew Wright rejoin their respective mother ball clubs that are featured in a Smart Araneta Coliseum doubleheader tonight marking the resumption of the PBA Governors Cup from a two-week breather.

Blackwater and NorthPort clash at 4:30 p.m. then Phoenix Petroleum and Meralco collide at 7 p.m.

The Elite (2-0), the Barangay Ginebra Kings (3-0) and the Magnolia Hotshots (2-0) have remained unbeaten through the initial blast of action in the seasonending conference before it took a break to give way to the September window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

Blackwater is off to a surprise 2-0 start with reversals against TNT KaTropa (104-98) and San Miguel Beer (103100), and will have a shot at a share of the lead with Ginebra in taking on NorthPort.

The Batang Pier have dropped all their first four games but are expected to be a lot tougher on the return of Pringle, among the key players in Team Phl’s 92-81 conquest of Qatar in the FIBAWC qualifier at the Big Dome Monday night.

“We cannot underestimate NorthPort’s standing. Remember, they lost to Ginebra in a very close match,” said Blackwater coach Bong Ramos, recalling the Batang Pier’s tough stand in a 98-104 loss to the Gin Kings despite their shorthanded lineup then.

“Pringle and Sean Anthony (coming from an injury) would be a big factor. Plus, their import (Rashad Woods) is slowly adjusting to the game in the PBA,” Ramos also said.

But the Elite could take comfort on the steady games of their core players led by Henry Walker who’s averaging 29 points, 14.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists.

Then add the returning Erram and Malicsi who could well provide added boost from their confidence-building stint as national players under coach Yeng Guiao.

Meanwhile, Wright rejoins the Fuel Masters as they seek a fourth win against two losses versus the struggling Meralco side (1-2).

The Bolts still await the recovery of Ranidel de Ocampo and Jarred Dillinger from injuries a few days before representing the country in the 2019 FIBA Asia Champions Cup in Thailand.

Even with their health woes, the Bolts are determined to get to a winning start from a rest of over three weeks.

“We have been off for three weeks and a half so we have to focus on getting off to a good start,” said Meralco coach Norman Black. “Transition defense and keeping Phoenix off the offensive boards will be keys to the game.”