The NorthPort Batang Pier in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup. Photo from PBA Images.MANILA — The NorthPort Batang Pier achieved a rare feat for its franchise following its hard-earned win over the San Miguel Beermen in their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup clash.

The Bonnie Tan-led team swept all the San Miguel Corporation-owned ball clubs in a single conference as they also previously took down Barangay Ginebra and the Magnolia Hotshots. This, according to PBA Chief Statistician Fidel Mangonon III, was a first in NorthPort’s franchise history,

“It’s a great feeling sa team, history,” said Batang Pier star Arvin Tolentino, who had 22 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block in their 105-104 win over the Beermen on Tuesday.

“Every time you achieve something like what we did today, it’s a great feeling for the franchise,” he added.

READ: NorthPort avoids 24-point collapse against San Miguel to end two-game skid

The Batang Pier showed composure in the end game despite seeing their 83-59 defeat erased by the Beermen, and according to Tolentino, this was a matter of their squad displaying their trust in each other despite coming into the contest with a two-game losing skid.

“San Miguel is a champion team, an eight-time MVP [in June Mar Fajardo] is there, CJ Perez is there, kaya hindi naging madali sa amin yun,” pointed out Arvin, whose team absorbed losses against the Rain or Shine ElastoPainters and the Meralco Bolts.

“Everyone eh naniwala lang sa isa’t isa. Since the start of the conference, yun na yung naging puhunan namin. If we stick together, nakikita natin na we’re enjoying and doon tumataas yung morale ng team. But whenever we don’t share the ball, medyo low ang energy, doon kami natatalo,” he added.

One factor that the Batang Pier changed from their previous losses was starting the game slowly, and this was evident as they romped the Beermen right from the opening tip with a 10-2 spurt.

“We were talking about starting the game strong,” shared Tolentino. “Dalawang game na kaming flat to start the game, so we practiced hard. Nag payoff naman yung ginawa namin. Chinallenge kami ni Coach Bonnie, and talagang umiinit yung ulo ni Coach, so we took it as a challenge especially si Kadeem [Jack].”

However, despite the history that NorthPort made following their latest triumph, Tolentino maintained that there is still a lot for them to work on before they achieve their main goal.

“For now, we cannot focus on the playoffs yet kasi may isa pa kaming laro. After that, kung sino makatapat, we'll just do our best to make it into the next step,” he said. “We’re in the playoffs now. After that, getting into the Semis, then hopefully, Finals.”

The twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals is not even on the minds of the Batang Pier, said Tolentino, even with the 8-3 record that they currently hold as of writing.

“Mahirap makita yung placing kasi dikit-dikit eh,” he insisted. “Hindi kami masyadong nagfo-focus sa ganun. We look at the next game lang kasi isang talo or isang panalo, malayo yung tinatalon mo sa standings.

But if there is one thing that NorthPort assures to do, that is they will continue to pile up wins to improve their chances of getting into the playoffs with the incentive while also advancing into their campaign further.

“Hopefully, we finish the eliminations strong, then going into the playoffs, bahala na kung sino makatapat namin,” said Batang Pier assistant Rensy Bajar. “But still, itong team na ‘to is making a statement na we are real. Itong mga players na ‘to, they will play 100% each game.”

“Sa playoffs, kung sino man makaharap namin, we’ll just play our game and kukunin namin yung panalo,” he added.