The NorthPort Batang Pier will look to stay undefeated when they take on the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, who are seeking to get back in the win column. Will the Batang Pier add Magnolia to their list of victims? Or, will the Hotshots become the first team to stop NorthPort?

Catch this game live on Wednesday,  December 4 at 5:00 pm, Manila time.

NorthPort Batang Pier (2-0)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Fran Yu
  • Joshua Munzon
  • Arvin Tolentino
  • Damie Cuntapay
  • Kadeem Jack

NorthPort is off to a solid start in the Commissioner’s Cup, with two wins in a row in the campaign. The Batang Pier kicked things off with a 114-87 demolition of the NLEX Road Warriors last Thursday before following that up with a 113-101 takedown of the Terrafirma Dyip last Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. Key to NorthPort’s success against Terrafirma was the huge performance of Arvin Tolentino, who pulled off a rare local triple-double, compiling 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists while shooting 8-for-18 from the 3-pointe area. 

NorthPort also got a solid performance from import Kadeem Jack, who continues to shine for the Batang Pier. Jack had 25 points on 10/16 shooting from the floor in the NLEX game and generated 32 points on 11/19 shooting versus the Dyip. Magnolia should present a tougher challenge for NorthPort, but with their momentum, the Batang Pier should feel confident about their chances of taking care of business against the Hotshots.

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Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots (1-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Jerrick Ahanmisi
  • Paul Lee
  • Zav Lucero
  • Rome Dela Rosa
  • Richardo Ratliffe

Magnolia started its Commissioner’s Cup campaign with a dominant 118-100 win over the Blackwater Bossing last Thursday but got tripped up on Sunday in a 93-91 loss at the hands of the Converge FiberXers. The Hotshots were looking good in that contest until they got ambushed by an offensive surge from Converge in the fourth quarter, where Magnolia got outscored by 10 points.  It is also worth noting that the Hotshots missed the services of two-time Best Player of the Conference Calvin Abueva in the Converge game after suffering a neck injury against Blackwater. 

But Abueva could potentially be back in action as soon as this Wednesday, which would be a huge boost for Magnolia, which could use his defense to slow down the high-scoring Batang Pier. Magnolia import Ricardo Ratliffe had a monster double-double of 25 points and 19 boards wasted in the loss to the FiberXers, but he’s clearly still very much in shape even at 35 years old. His PBA experience and strong inside presence can be a big headache for NorthPort.

Picks

Spread: NorthPort Batang Pier (+4.5)

Over/Under: Under (205.0)

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