NorthPort stakes its unbeaten run against a Converge team that is set to look a lot more dangerous especially if this year’s No.1 overall pick Justine Baltazar finally makes his debut in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 12.

NorthPort stakes its unbeaten run against a Converge team that is set to look a lot more dangerous especially if this year’s No.1 overall pick Justine Baltazar finally makes his debut in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 12.

The Batang Pier, who has been one of the biggest revelations in the mid-season conference with an impressive 4-0 start, aim to keep the momentum against the retooled FiberXers in the first offering at 5 p.m. 

Likewise, Meralco also hopes to keep its record pristine going when it takes on the still winless Blackwater in the second game at 7:30 p.m.

NorthPort is looking to bank on its suffocating defense anew as it aims to fortify its stronghold atop the standings. 

Guys like Joshua Munzon and Fran Yu have been keys on the defensive for the team but the usual offensive-minded player like Arvin Tolentino also contributed huge on the other end.

And that’s exactly what Converge head coach Franco Atienza is wary about, especially with NorthPort import Kadeem Jack also looking like a perfect fit to the team.

“The coaching staff is doing a great job, maganda lineup nila. They are probably the longest, the most agile, and adaptable kasi halos pare-pareho height nila," Atienza commented on the Batang Pier’s length which he believes is the key to their defensive success.

“Tapos 'yung import nila, si Kadeem Jack, medyo mahirap matchup-an kasi 6-9, long, 230 lbs, can shoot it from the outside. Pero ang pinakadinadala niya, 'yung presence niya sa loob,” he said of Jack.

“Medyo active at squeezer. Bihirang combination 'yung presence niya sa loob tapos nakaka-shoot pa siya sa three points,” he added.

For the FiberXers, they will be leaning on NBA caliber import Cheick Diallo to join hands with a potent local crew that also features Justin Arana, Alec Stockton, Bryan Santos and Jordan Heading.

They could even get better with Baltazar’s arrival although he is still unsure to play since he was still coming off an championship run in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League where he was hailed as its back-to-back Most Valuable Player.