NorthPort interim head coach Bonnie Tan hopes that Joshua Munzon can finally realize his potential as he starts afresh with the Batang Pier in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup.
The Batang Pier acquired the Fil-American forward after sending veteran Kevin Ferrer to the Terrafirma Dyip. Tan believes Munzon hasn't fully scratched his potential in his two years with Terrafirma, something he hopes that the 28-year-old cager could showcase playing alongside a much potent crew that centered on NorthPort stars Robert Bolick and Arvin Tolentino.
“Biggest challenge kay Joshua para sa NorthPort mapalabas namin yung laro ni Josh. Mapalabas namin yung being the no.1 draft pick overall,” said Tan.
The Dyip drafted Munzon as the first overall pick of the 46th Season PBA rookie draft but had not fully thrived as the team’s main man in his first two seasons although he showed flashes of his potential in the last season’s Governors’ Cup where he averaged 19 points per game.
Munzon’s performance, however, saw a dip this season, only putting up 12.8 points per game last conference.
Tan said it will still be depending on Munzon on how he’s gonna get the monkey off his back and prove that he truly deserves the no. 1 pick of that draft that also had the likes of Jamie Malonzo, Mikey Williams and Calvin Oftana who all became potent weapons to their current teams.
“Mapalabas namin (yung potential niya), mapove niya yung self niya na he deserves to be the no.1 pick nung batch na yun. Ayun lang, mapakita niya yung worth niya, yung value na di nagkamali yung mga tao na siya yung number 1 pick,” said Tan.
Munzon is set for his debut with the Batang Pier when they take on the Converge FiberXers on Sunday, Jan. 22.