Change of tides? As NorthPort rises, SMB sinks


At a glance

  • For the first time in franchise history, the Batang Pier finished as the top seed while claiming the twice-to-beat advantage. The Beermen, on the other hand, failed to advance to the playoffs for the first time in a decade.


Dynasties rise and fall. But as one collapses, another ascends.

And that seemed to be the case in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup as NorthPort and San Miguel experienced contrasting fates – where the former – once a doormat team – is now leading the pack at the end of the eliminations, and the other, a perennial contender, was unceremoniously booted out of the playoff picture.

Change of tides.

For the first time in franchise history, the Batang Pier finished as the top seed while claiming the twice-to-beat advantage. The Beermen, on the other hand, failed to advance to the playoffs for the first time in a decade.

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While NorthPort was a picture of consistency with its fast-rising stars in Arvin Tolentino and Joshua Munzon and the dominant and steady import in Kadeem Jack, SMB struggled with its locals, except June Mar Fajardo, failing to deliver consistent numbers.

It also didn’t help that the Beermen had a hard time finding the import who could carry them through the struggles. They went from Quincy Miller to Torren Jones and then Jabari Narcis to Malik Pope – four imports in a span of 12 games.

And that’s where SMB struggled to find the cohesion.

"It's tough, but at the same time it's no excuse," admitted SMB veteran Marcio Lassiter.

“Any time you get a new import, you have to re-learn the system for the new guy. So it is tough. We did change a lot, and (tried) to find a way and make it work. So every day it was a learning experience,” he added.

SMB’s rare early exit marked the end of its streak of playoff appearances in 22 straight conferences. 

According to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon, the Beermen also became the first champion to not get a chance to defend its crown in the playoffs since Barangay Ginebra also suffered early exit in the 2005 Fiesta Conference.

NorthPort, for its part, is now in its best position to reach the semifinals – a level that the franchise has not reached since the 2019 Governors’ Cup when the team was still bannered by Christian Standhardinger and high-scoring import Michael Qualls.

“Nakahanda naman kami whatever challenge that we will encounter during the playoffs,” said NorthPort assistant coach Rensy Bajar.

"Whatever happens, whatever the opponent that we will play in the playoffs, we’re ready to play. And these players, they’re ready to play and they’re ready to accept the challenge. So hopefully, ma-sustain namin ‘yung magandang nilalaro namin," he added.