Even after pacing the league standings for more than a month now which also included victories over teams like Eastern, Magnolia and TNT, not a few are still refusing to buy into the belief that NorthPort is a real deal.

But a big 119-116 win over Barangay Ginebra on Wednesday, Jan. 8 should change that.

Not only that the Batang Pier solidified their spot at the top with a 7-1 record but they also finally broke through the Kings – a team that they have never beaten in five years or in their last 14 meetings.

“Tonight’s game is a statement game for us,” said NorthPort head coach Bonnie Tan after the nerve-wracking win.

“Everyone's questioning about status ng team na hindi kami nanalo sa big teams so I hope na this win we proved na we’re here to win games and be competitive. Hindi yung basta basta na team lang,” he added.

NorthPort led by as many as 23 points in the contest and although the team had to go through the wringer in the face of a patented Ginebra comeback, the team showed great character and pulled off the great escape.

At the forefront of the attack was the Batang Pier's three-headed combo in import Kadeem Jack, Arvin Tolentino and Joshua Munzon while guys like Fran Yu, Evan Nelle, William Navarro and Cade Flores also provided an able supporting cast to the team.

Jack finished with 31 points, Tolentino with 29 and Munzon with 27 – none bigger than the booming triple that made it 117-109, a lead that proved to be enough to cushion a late Ginebra surge.

“That was big. I think it just showed the level of maturity we've kind of grown over these eight games,” said Munzon on the team’s show of maturity.

“Being into a close game when it’s this tight and getting stops when we need them and playing in crunchtime like that. But when the game goes back and forth like that, it’s pretty fun to be out there. That's what we love to do at the end of the day,” he added.

With the win, the Batang Pier came a step closer to reaching their goal of reaching the playoffs – a level that the team had eluded them for the last few conferences.