The NorthPort Batang Pier are back to .500 ball after losing to the TNT Tropang Giga Saturday, 117-93. The Batang Pier have alternated wins with losses so far in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup and would love to see that trend continue Wednesday when they take on the Blackwater Bossing. The Bossing are still on a high after scoring a huge upset victory over the San Miguel Beermen last Wednesday for their second victory of the campaign. So, which between NorthPort and Blackwater will snatch win No. 3?

Catch this game live on Wednesday,  October 12 at 3:00 pm, Manila time.

NorthPort Batang Pier (2-2)

Projected Starting Five:

• PG: Robert Bolick
• SG: Jerrick Balanza
• SF: Arvin Tolentino
• PF: Arwind Santos
• C: Prince Ibeh

Turnovers and an absurd shooting night from RR Pogoy doomed NorthPort in their loss to TNT. The Batang Pier turned the ball over 17 times in the TNT game where Pogoy exploded for 32 points on the strength of 8/9 shooting from deep. It would be so unfortunate for NorthPort if it gets victimized anew by one player on Wednesday. 

At the same time, the Batang Pier can’t take for granted Blackwater’s shooting. At the same time, NorthPort has the firepower to torch the Bossing. Arvin Tolentino continues to be a gift that keeps on giving for the Batang Pier, as he scored 19 points with three 3-pointers against TNT. Robert Prince Ibeh and Robert Bolick had 18 and 14 points, respectively, for NorthPort which is averaging 97.5 points per game.

Blackwater Bossing (2-2)

Projected Starting Five:

• PG: Baser Amer
• SG: Rashawn McCarthy
• SF: Renato Ular
• PF: Troy Rosario
• C: Cameron Krutwig

Cameron Krutwig heard how Blackwater head coach Ariel Vanguardia defended him against critics following the Bossing’s win against the Beermen. And how can’t Vanguardia not feel for his import? Krutwig stuffed the stat sheet in the San Miguel game, scoring 20 points to go with 18 rebounds, and 10 assists in 40 minutes. 

Krutwig isn’t the flashiest import out there, but he can get the job done while elevating the ceiling of the Bossing as a team. With Krutwig, Blackwater is now third overall in the conference with 23.75 assists per contest.  The Bossing are also among the elite in the PBA in terms of accuracy from deep. Among teams that have played at least three games, Blackwater is No. 1 with a 36 3FG%. Blackwater’s bench has also been on target. The team’s relievers are averaging 37.5 points per outing – No. 4 in the league, thus far.

PREDICTION:

Spread: Blackwater (+4.5) covers the spread.

Over/Under: The total (197.5) hits the Over.