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BLACKWATER is aware that Northport will be a difficult first assignment on the second day of play of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup inside the bubble at the University of Angeles Foundation.
Raoul Cesar “Nash” Racela, who was named Elite head coach in place of interim coach Aries Dimaunahan, found his 6:45 pm game against Batang Pier to be difficult.
“A tough team with [Christian] Standhardinger and [Sean] Anthony, both players fought for the Best Player of the Conference last year, then they also have Kelly Nabong. So it would be a tough match for us, ”Racela told BusinessMirror on Sunday.
But Racela said she fiddled with her playbook in hopes of putting handcuffs on the two explosive Batang Pier.
“[But] we will give ourselves a chance tomorrow [Monday]”Said Racela, who will be missing Carl Bryan Cruz (knee) and James Sena (knee) due to injuries. Both players are not in the bubble along with rookie playmaker Chris Bitoon.
“We have many guards so we decided not to include it. [Bitoon] in the 15-man lineup, ”Racela said.
For NorthPort’s Alfredo “Pido” Jarencio, Batang Pier is mentally ready for its first game of the postponed season.
“We prepare but we don’t know how our opponent will play. We will adjust one game at a time. We will review the situation and the flow of the game, ”said Jarencio. “We are mentally prepared, but we don’t know how our bodies react in the game.”
Meralco tangles with Phoenix Super LPG in the first game at 4pm.
The Fuel Masters are hoping to see the return of Calvin Abueva, who has not played for 17 months since the PBA suspended him indefinitely last season.
