For NorthPort Batang Pier import Rashad Woods, losing six straight games was nothing but draining.
Following their surge early in the season, the Batang Pier were expected to deliver in the 2018 Governors’ Cup. But no thanks to an injury bug that led to the absences of almost half of their roster, they started the tilt at 0-6.
“First time in my career to lose six games in a row.
“It’s tough. Mentally it’s tough. Draining,” recalled Woods.
But as they say, things don’t last forever. On Saturday evening at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City, the Batang Pier finally got the monkey off their backs, drowning the Columbian Dyip, 118-101, for their first win of the conference.
Unlike in their previous games where they lost steam in the end, NorthPort displayed solid character as a unit, climbing back from 12 down in the third with a 30-5 rally in the final frame for a 116-94 lead with 2:04 left to play.
And that is why Woods felt extremely elated as they have finally tasted a W.
“It feels good to get our first win. Even though I played bad I don’t care. I’m happy we won the game, man!” beamed Woods, who only had 13 points and 10 rebounds.
“I’m really excited for our team, our staff, everybody’s excited about this win.”
But as much as everybody in the NorthPort camp is glad for the win, Woods said that it doesn’t change the fact that he and the Batang Pier are still placed low in the team standings with a 1-6 win-loss record.
“It’s a little relief but we’re still one and six. So we just gotta keep working and listen to the coach and just build it from there,” said the 31-year-old, who averaged 31.17 points, 10.17 rebounds, and 4.67 assists prior to Saturday.
“So just keep building as a team.”
