Here’s the thing about Northport Batang Pier: they’re undefeated, they just took down TNT Tropang Giga, and they’re sitting pretty on top of the standings. The defense is elite, Kadeem Jack is playing like a cheat code, and guys like Joshua Munzon and Arvin Tolentino are stepping up in the clutch. On paper, they look like a legitimate championship contender.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This is the PBA, where perception is often reality, and fans still see Northport as a farm team. You know the narrative: a scrappy regular season, followed by an inevitable collapse against an SMC powerhouse when the stakes get real. No matter how impressive the Batang Pier are now, many can’t shake the feeling they’re just holding the spot for someone else’s glory.
Basketball-wise, though, there’s no denying they’re playing at an elite level. Defensively, they’ve turned the screws, anchored by Jack’s versatility and presence in the paint. Add in Munzon’s explosiveness and the underrated contributions from Tolentino and William Navarro, and you’ve got a team that’s balanced, hungry, and capable of creating problems for anyone. Even TNT, the reigning Governors’ Cup champions, couldn’t handle them, turnovers and all.
But here’s the dilemma: Northport has the pieces to reach the Finals. What they don’t have is the pedigree—or the faith of the fans. It’s hard to envision them breaking the stranglehold of SMC teams when the chips are down. In the PBA, history and politics are just as important as X’s and O’s, and that’s where Northport falls short.
So are they a contender? Sure, to reach the Finals. But champions? Let’s just say there’s a reason fans aren’t holding their breath. Prove us wrong, Batang Pier. The ball’s in your court.
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