The NorthPort Batang Pier has a good chance to go over the .500 mark when they take on the Phoenix Fuel Masters, who have dropped their last two games.

Catch the game tomorrow at 7:30 PM.

NorthPort Batang Pier (4-4)

  • John Michael Calma
  • Joshua Munzon
  • Kent Salado
  • Mer Ayaay
  • Arvin Tolentino

NorthPort snapped its two-game skid this past Sunday in a win over the Terrafirma Dyip, 104-100. They started out hot, putting up 30 points in the first quarter, and used that nice leeway until the final buzzer.

The team’s two-way forward, Arvin Tolentino, should once again have the spotlight. He had 28 points, nine rebounds, and a pair of blocks in the Terrafirma victory, in line with his solid averages for the tournament: 18.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. He’ll have an interesting matchup opposite his counterparts.

Second and third scorers Paul Zamar (16.2 PPG) and John Calma (14.6 PPG) will be right behind Tolentino – the former had 21/6/4/2 in the aforementioned win. Widely decorated veteran Arwind Santos (6.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG) and former top overall pick Joshua Munzon (9.7 PPG, 4.5 APG, 29% FG), meanwhile, are posting rough numbers, and should look to gain momentum.

Phoenix Fuel Masters (3-5)

  • Javee Mocon
  • Tyler Tio
  • RJ Jazul
  • Simon Camacho
  • JC Fetalvero

The Fuel Masters are coming in as losers of back-to-back. Before the one-sided 104-90 defeat to the Converge FiberXers last Friday, they had a close loss to the Blackwater Bossing, 92-90. Such has been the case for Phoenix in the tournament, partly why they have been mediocre at best.

All are also on top of dealing with a couple of injuries, including Jason Perkins (ACL, out for the season) and their current top scorer, Raul Soyud. He missed the previous game and it’s unclear if he’ll be available for tomorrow’s contest.

Phoenix will eye the rest of the rotation to fill the hole left by Soyud. The team has five other players averaging in double-digits, namely Javee Mocon (11.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.2 APG), Luke Muyang (12.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG), Sean Manganti (12.5 PPG), Reden Celda (12.5 PPG), and Chris Lalata (10.0 PPG). Manganti came off the second unit in their last game to provide 15 points, eight boards, two steals, and one block. 

PREDICTION:

Handicap: NorthPort (+1.5) wins.

Total: The total goes under 196.