Northport gets going

MANILA, Philippines — With a standing challenge from the NorthPort coaching staff, William Navarro came off the bench with fire and delivered a career-high 31 points.

And Navarro’s explosive outing proved significant in the Batang Pier’s efforts to break away from Terrafirma and seal a bounceback 112-93 victory in the PBA Governors’ Cup yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Navarro made a big impact in the third period, where he rifled in 13 markers and sparked an important run that put NorthPort safely ahead, 85-70, after the Dyip cut the Batang Pier’s initial 16-point margin to just six.

The 6-foot-6 former Gilas Pilipinas cadet was the top contributor in the game that saw comebacking import Venky Jois (16 markers with 15 rebounds and six assists), Joshua Munzon (14) and Arvin Tolentino (10) scoring in double figures, too.

“After our loss to TNT (95-101), we emphasized the importance of playing as a team and distributing the ball, hindi panay one-on-one or two-man game,” said NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan.

“We challenged the second group to deliver also and be consistent, headed by William Navarro. Nakita natin if we follow the game plan, we can pull through,” added Tan.

Navarro, whose previous high was 29 markers, complemented his scoring with five boards, two assists and two steals and finished without a turnover.

“I’m just confident in my shots, I’m not surprised my shots were going in. Given my minutes on the court, I’m going to deliver,” he said.

NorthPort welcomed back Jois, who led the squad to the quarterfinals of last season’s Commissioner’s Cup. He replaced Taylor Johns.

Juami Tiongson, with 19, Stanley Pringle (17 with 10 rebounds) and import Antonio Hester (13-11) paced the Dyip who fell to 0-2.

Meanwhile, Justin Brownlee makes his PBA comeback today as Barangay Ginebra launches its campaign against Rain or Shine (1-0) in the season’s first out of town game at the Candon City Arena in Candon, Ilocos Sur.

Brownlee last saw action on April 2023 when the Gin Kings yielded the Governors’ Cup diadem to TNT with their 93-97 Game 6 loss.

Aside from Brownlee, the crowd darlings parade new trade acquisitions Stephen Holt and Isaac Go and rookie RJ Abarrientos against the Elasto Painters, who showed hot form in a 110-97 drubbing of Blackwater last Tuesday.