NorthPort head coach Pido Jarencio is crediting the work Will Navarro has been putting in during practice which finally translated to a splendid performance in the Batang Pier’s 112-97 victory over the Converge FiberXers on Sunday, Nov. 20.
Navarro, who joined NorthPort almost midway through the elimination, finally showed his true worth and dropped career-highs in points, rebounds and assists to help his team win three in a row and put themselves in the position to contend for a playoff spot.
“Yung first three games namin talo and then he got a win nagtuloy-tuloy actually. Pero it boils on how you work in practice kasi kapag masipag ka sa ensayo at the same time nadadala mo yung team, mga players,” Jarencio said of his prized addition who scattered 29 points, 17 rebounds and nine assists.
It wasn’t only Navarro who is making great strides for the Batang Pier as of late as guys like Robert Bolick, Arvin Tolentino, and import Prince Ibeh also provided solid contributions during that winning run that catapulted NorthPort to the fifth spot of the standings with a 6-5 record.
“Not just Will but lahat yung intensity yung camaraderie yung chemistry which is nagiging positive for the team. Ang crucial din dito sa team namin si Prince ibeh especially on the defensive side,” explained Jarencio.
Bolick also finished with 26 points while Tolentino contributed 15. Ibeh, on the other hand, dominated the paint and posted a double-double effort of 19 points and 15 rebounds against the Quincy Miller-less Converge.
While Miller’s absence obviously worked in favor of the Batang Pier, Jarencio’s wards still had the work cut out for them as they needed a huge third quarter breakaway to take the fight out of the FiberXers and extinguish their blazing seven-game winning run.
“Wiith or without import, full force (or not) sila, ready kami. At the same time, alam ko na si Will, si Robert will step up sa mga gantong laro,” said the veteran coach.
“I’m so proud of this group, sometimes we’re struggling pero ngayon three in a row and we have a big chance to be in the playoffs di lang namin alam kung san kami babagsak kung sa best of three or dun sa eighth spot pero at least may chance na pumasok sa playoffs.”