It’s hard to keep a good team down but that’s exactly what a determined NorthPort aims to do when it tries to contain TNT and keep its stronghold atop the standings in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday, Dec. 8.

The Batang Pier are eager to sustain their hot 3-0 start but also knew it would be easier said than done against the Tropang Giga who were coming off a forgettable debut in the mid-season conference last time out.

Following immediately in the second offering is the 7:30 p.m. battle between NLEX, which is seeking its third straight win, and San Miguel, which is looking for a followup to its 107-104 winning debut over Phoenix.

For NorthPort’s defensive lynchpin Joshua Munzon, keeping the streak alive for the Batang Pier would only boil down on their ability to consistently make stops in the contest that tips off at 5 p.m.

“Arvin made big blocks, Sydney had a big block, Fran was also getting steals. Fran was a big part of our defense. I think that’s our identity, if we defend at a high level. I think we give ourselves a chance to win games,” said Munzon after the team passed its first acid test against Magnolia with flying colors, 107-103.

That defense should be under the microscope especially with the Tropang Giga certainly raring to bounce back from an 84-105 defeat at the hands of PBA guest team Eastern last Friday, Dec. 6.

Whether it was a championship hangover or the Tropa simply playing shorthanded, missing veterans Jayson Castro and Kelly Williams – as well as JP Erram after his early ejection, TNT hardly looked like the team that won the title just a few weeks back.

And for that, NorthPort is expecting to face a tough bounce back from TNT with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson primed to lead the attack after his 33 points against Eastern went for naught.

Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy and Rey Nambatac should also be eager to bounce back after they received a reality check right on their first game in the conference.

Meanwhile in the second game, Robert Bolick and the Road Warriors challenge the defending champions in June Mar Fajardo and the Beermen after stringing together two straight wins.

Mike Watkins has been a force to be reckoned with for NLEX but his mettle will be tested against SMB’s returning import in Quincy Miller.

Of course, NLEX also has to be wary of SMB's depth especially with Juami Tiongson adding more firepower to the crew that already features the likes of CJ Perez, Don Trollano, Jericho Cruz and Chris Ross.