Sigh of relief for the Batang Pier after a 0-6 start in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
NorthPort Batang Pier coach Bonnie Tan could finally heave a sigh of relief after claiming their first win in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday.
“Just happy we got this win. Sana may next one pa,” Tan said after the Batang Pier hammered out a 115-100 win over Terrafirma Dyip.
Tan commended his players, including rookie JM Calma who finished with 18 points and 9 rebounds in their first dub after a frustrating 0-6 start in the season-ending conference.
The 3-peat champion coach with the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights in the NCAA said the slow start can partly be attributed to the injuries to key players like Arwind Santos and Robert Bolick.
In his third game back from a hamstring injury, Bolick looked like he was back in tip-top form and put on an impressive all-around performance with 26 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals.
Santos, meanwhile, is still groping for form as he made his return from a knee injury. In over 7 minutes of play, the former PBA MVP only had a rebound and an assist.
His return to the court, though, meant the world to the win-starved squad.
“Wala pa sa timing si Arwind,” Tan said. “We all know ano pwede ibigay ni Arwind. Strength niya talaga defense at rebounding so ‘yun 'yung dinadala niya sa team.”
But now that the two are back at his disposal, Tan is hopeful things are only going to get better from here on out.