NorthPort is hoping to sustain its fiery showing as of late when it takes on a depleted Meralco side in the Group A action in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 1.

The Batang Pier, owner of back-to-back victories since the arrival of resident import Venky Jois, face a Bolts team that is still missing some of its key players due to injuries in the main event at 7:30 p.m.

Serving as a fitting appetizer to the thrilling clash is another intriguing showdown between Magnolia, a team that is still searching for consistency and chemistry and Terrafirma which is also looking to finally enter the win column at 5 p.m.

NorthPort is certainly coming into the contest with more momentum and confidence after first drubbing Terrafirma, 112-93, and then Converge, 135-109, with forwards William Navarro and Arvin Tolentino taking turns in dropping career performances.

Navarro reset his career-high to 31 points against the Dyip while Tolentino became the latest local player to enter his name to the PBA’s 50-point club after dropping 51 against the FiberXers.

The challenge for the Batang Pier, however, is to keep the same offensive intensity against the top-notch defense of the Bolts.

Meralco, for one, a known very good defensive team, has not allowed its opponent to score more than a hundred points so far through the three games it played.

The Bolts offense is not to be underestimated with guys like Chris Banchero, Bong Quinto and even CJ Cansino proving to be capable scorers to make up for the loss of Aaron Black (knee) and Chris Newsome (knee) to injuries.

Although there's some sense of optimism that Newsome could suit up and play through the injury, head coach Luigi Trillo has already said that they are taking extra precaution with their lead guard’s health.

Meanwhile in the opening game, the Dyip hopes to finally break through when they take on the Hotshots who are similarly going through soul-searching as they have failed to live up so far to the expectations after absorbing their second loss against the TNT Tropang Giga.

Surely, Glenn Robinson III’s performance should be under the scrutiny of the crucial contest as Magnolia weighs its future in this conference. 

Likewise, eyes also should be on Christian Standhardinger, Juami Tiongson, Stanley Pringle and import Antonio Hester whether they could finally be on the same page to hopefully steer the Dyip to its first win of the season.