NorthPort has no plans of searching for another import after Venky Jois sat out their eventual loss to Magnolia in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday.
Head coach Bonnie Tan assured as much, as he allayed fears of a major injury after the Australian forward sprained his ankle in their previous game against Meralco last Sunday, in which they fell to a 109-99 decision.
“Wala naman. He promised na he’ll be back sa next game namin on Sunday,” he said moments after their 105-94 defeat at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Jois missing a game was similar to his first tour of duty with the Batang Pier in the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup no thanks to a hamstring injury.
Yet he only sat out one game, which was versus San Miguel, back then, and went on to finish the conference, helping the Batang Pier to a quarterfinal appearance before yielding to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
And as he vowed to Tan, he may not be out for another game as he’s looking to return on Sunday when they take on Terrafirma at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Also on the sidelines against the Hotshots was winger William Navarro because of an ankle sprain as well and like with Jois, it’s only a minor injury.
Those were two big absences yet the remaining Batang Pier put up a gallant fight, forcing a see-saw battle and even tied the game up at 85-all before Aris Dionisio sparked the crucial 7-0 run for the 101-91 lead with 1:26 left.
“Just taking our chance na makasilat,” said Tan, whose NorthPort has fallen to 2-3 in Group A following their most recent defeat.
