Nelson Morales

PBA: Tan hails Nelle, Yu, as NorthPort remains unscathed — ‘This is your time’

Article (news)

LEFT - EVAN NELLE

RIGHT - FRAN YU

Romwel Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1734151308435IMG_5915.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="NorthPort Batang Pier head coach Bonnie Tan in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup. Photo from PBA Images."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">NorthPort Batang Pier head coach Bonnie Tan in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup. <em>Photo from PBA Images.</em></span></span></span>MANILA — The NorthPort Batang Pier is currently riding its best start ever as it remains unscathed in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.</div><p>The Bonnie Tan-mentored team remained unbeaten in five games — a run that also matches their longest win streak in the PBA — and it came after they moved past the Converge FiberXers last Thursday through a 108-101 victory.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2024/12/12/pba-northport-spoils-baltazars-converge-debut-to-remain-perfect-1933">READ: NorthPort spoils Baltazar&#x27;s Converge debut to remain perfect</a></div><p>“It’s a good run for us. We got a good start, pero yung huling practices, we just discussed na one game at a time lang muna,” commented Tan on what has been working for his troops so far.</p><p>“Playing against Converge, sinasabi namin na if we win this, there’s a good chance that we can beat yung next game namin this week which is Phoenix,” he added.</p><p>Playing the hero in their last game were Joshua Munzon, who exploded for his career-high of 30 points, as well as their import Kareem Jack (32 points, 15 rebounds) and main gunner Arvin Tolentino (21 points, 13 rebounds, two steals, two assists), and Tan was glad of how their stars have been remaining patient and grounded amid their streak.  </p><p>“Last week naman, that’s how we set our goal. If we beat Magnolia, we can beat a big team like TNT. So ayun, naging positive yung results sa ganoong challenge, so hopefully, we can end the week with another win,” added the three-peat NCAA titlist.</p><div>However, it was not only the aforementioned trio that needed to be hailed for steering the Batang Pier this conference, but also their floor generals.<br/><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1734151834113photo-collage.png.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="NorthPort Batang Pier guards Evan Nelle (left) and Fran Yu (right) in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup. Photo from PBA Images."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">NorthPort Batang Pier guards Evan Nelle (left) and Fran Yu (right) in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup. <em>Photo from PBA Images.</em></span></span></span>“Very crucial yung nilalaro ng dalawang point guards namin, si Fran Yu and si Evan Nelle,” he said of the former Letran Knight and San Beda Red Lion which he coached and competed with in the collegiate ranks, respectively.</div><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/7/20/evan-nelle-ecstatic-to-link-up-with-former-collegiate-rivals-fran-yu-bonnie-tan-1553" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Evan Nelle ecstatic to link up with former collegiate rivals Fran Yu, Bonnie Tan</strong></a></div><p>Nelle and Yu have been taking turns in pacing NorthPort, with the former putting up 13 points, nine rebounds, five assists, a steal, and two four-pointers against Converge, while the latter followed with six markers, five boards, three assists, and two steals.</p><p>“They played very well. [Evan] was not scoring that much, pero napupunan naman sa assists department,” pointed out Tan.</p><p>But aside from the playmaking and facilitating that the former collegiate rivals have been doing, it is how they have stepped in the absence of veteran guard Jio Jalalon that has most impressed Coach Bonnie.</p><p>“Sabi ko nga sa both guards namin: This is your time, this is your conference,” shared Tan. “Wala si Kuya Jio Jalalon niyo, so the team would rely on our two guards.”</p><p>Fran and Evan can help NorthPort extend their win streak on Tuesday, December 17, when they battle the Phoenix FuelMasters in the main game at 7:30 p.m.<strong></strong><br/><strong></strong><br/><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong> <script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABRvjDSSkPiRQ-tx&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script></p>

<p>The NorthPort Batang Pier is currently riding its best start ever as it remains unscathed in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.</p>

The NorthPort Batang Pier is currently riding its best start ever as it remains unscathed in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.