Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Bonnie Tan on gallant loss to Meralco: ‘One step forward’


NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan is looking at their gallant stand versus Meralco as something to build on moving forward into the PBA Governors’ Cup.

The Batang Pier bowed down, 107-102, on Thursday night, but not before making life difficult for the Bolts. NorthPort even snatched the lead in the closing minutes after being down by as much as 12 during the third canto.

“At least, one step forward,” he said moments after the match at the Philsports Arena. “Hopefully, ma-sustain namin – ‘yung one step forward, maging two steps forward kami. Sa tingin namin, mananalo na kami next game – hopefully.”

Still without star Robert Bolick due to hamstring issues and ongoing contract talks, NorthPort offered a much better showing this time around than their conference opener versus Converge, where they got blown out by 30.

With Roi Sumang and Marcus Weathers leading the charge, the Batang Pier launched a 13-2 run to take a 97-96 lead with 2:51 left to play.

But sustaining that lead was the issue. Bong Quinto gave Meralco the lead back, and Chris Newsome went on to deal the heavy blows to close it out.

With the defeat, NorthPort failed to go back-to-back against the MVP team. It could be recalled that the Batang Pier beat the Bolts in the Commissioners’ Cup, 101-95, with Bolick submitting a career-high 44 markers.

“Kinapos,” lamented Tan. “We had some open shots na hindi lang ma-finish ng mga players natin. But the effort was there.”

It’s now back to the drawing board for NorthPort, and the interim mentor now has his focus on polishing some things as they gun for win no. 1.

#ReadMore  VIDEO: Spat with Stanley Pringle 'no biggie' for head coach Franz Pumaren

“One-point loss, 30 points na talo, talo pa rin,” said Tan. “Medyo mas better lang ‘yung execution namin ngayon. Na-improve namin.

“Again, next game, if we sustain, tas ma-improve lang namin ‘yung lapses namin lalo na sa box out, I think we can pull through in the next game. Sana.”

The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

Northport made sure to get the job done before its long break, hacking out a 90-85 victory over Meralco to extend its streak to...

Basketball

Northport exhibited poise beyond its youth, securing a 124-120 victory against Phoenix in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Friday at the SMART...

Basketball

Cade Flores didn’t hide his disappointment after being snubbed in the Rookies-Sophomores-Juniors Game of the PBA All-Star Bacolod 2024. The NorthPort neophyte said that...

Basketball

NorthPort rallied back from as much as 18 down and left Converge a frustrated bunch in overtime, 112-104, to barge into the win column...

Basketball

William Navarro likes the potential he sees after NorthPort finally played as a complete unit in its PBA Season 48 Philippines Cup debut, Friday...

Basketball

After dropping a 30-piece against his former team as NLEX took down NorthPort for a victorious start to their PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup...

Basketball

When Zavier Lucero entered the hallowed grounds of the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday evening, he had mixed emotions. Back on December 14, 2022...

Basketball

NLEX outlasted NorthPort in overtime, 107-100, in a pulsating PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup debut on Friday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Robert...

Advertisement