NorthPort is still craving for improvements even after its splendid 2-0 start in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup and it hopes to continue making strides when it tests its mettle against Magnolia on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Batang Pier assistant coach Rensy Bajar said that the team is making sure it doesn’t go a little too high nor too low with their early success as bigger tests still lie ahead for the team, beginning with the clash with the Hotshots in the 5 p.m. affair.

Immediately following suit is Hong Kong Eastern, which is also staking its perfect 2-0 record against the still winless Rain or Shine in the second offering at 7:30 p.m.

“We have a lot of things to do pa, especially sa defense. ‘Yung mga defensive schemes namin, iyun ang kailangan pa naming i-improve,” said Bajar following NorthPort’s 113-101 victory over Terrafirma.

Interestingly, the Batang Pier will be pitted against one of the more known defensive teams in the league in the Hotshots who now sport a 1-1 record after a huge collapse against the Converge FiberXers on Sunday, Dec. 1.

Magnolia led by as many as 20 points but squandered late as Alec Stockton and Justin Arana took over down the stretch.

The Hotshots are expected to face the same quality of talent, if not better, with Arvin Tolentino and import Kadeem Jack forming a deadly one-two punch for the Batang Pier.

Jack exploded for 35 points on top of his 15 rebounds while Tolentino put up his second career triple-double of 21 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.

“Leadership ng locals namin, sila Arvin, na kahit paano nag-ma-mature na sa mga games naming kaya ayun nadadala nila spirit ng team. Yung mga off the bench namin, especially the second group, talagang ginaganahan din sila pagdating ng game,” added Bajar.

Ricardo Ratliffe is expected to lead the charge for Magnolia alongside rookie Jerom Lastimosa who was coming off his best performance in the PBA yet last timeout. Of course, veterans Paul Lee and Mark Barroca are also expected to step up as well as big men Zav Lucero and Ian Sangalang.

Meanwhile in the second game, Eastern also aims to keep its share of the early lead when it tangles against Rain or Shine.

The Hong Kong-based team hardly had any sweat in taking down Phoenix and Converge in its first two games but will have its first real test against the Elasto Painters who were semifinalists of the last two conferences.

ROS, however, was off to a losing start as it played without import Deon Thompson in the 111-121 loss to Meralco.