NorthPort def San Miguel, 115-101 [PBA S48 Comm’s Cup | Dec. 8, 2023]

With all their deficiencies, the NorthPort Batang Pier are realistic they have to outwork their opponents – especially the top tiers — to have a chance at winning.

One talented team coming their way Friday is San Miguel Beer, and much more that they want to lock in on the idea of working harder and playing harder than the other side.

“Coach (Bonnie Tan) says we have to play harder than the other team from the first second of the game,” said NorthPort import Venky Jois.

And that could well be the best weapon that they can get as the Batang Pier battle the San Miguel Beermen in a Friday setto in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

Opening tip is at 8 p.m. with both sides looking to jack up their stocks in the upper half of the team standings.

The Beermen are at 3-1, having gone on a roll after an upset by the NLEX Road Warriors, 117-113, in their season debut.

The Batang Pier, meanwhile, are at 4-2, setting out for their face-off with the Beermen riding the momentum of back-to-back wins over the TNT Tropang Giga, 128-123, and the Converge FiberXers, 111-95.

On Wednesday, Jois piled up a giant double-double of 39 points and 21 rebounds while playing on a wrong pair of shoes versus Jamil Wilson and his Converge teammates late in the game.

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