Batang Pier hoping against hope

March 4, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — They’re in a dire situation but the NorthPort Batang Pier aren’t about to abandon ship just yet.

“One more chance,” said NorthPort star Arvin Tolentino, relaying the beleaguered top seeds’ stance as rampaging Barangay Ginebra threatens to give their dream start in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup a nightmarish ending via a clean 4-0 sweep of their semifinal duel.

“Let’s see what happens in Game 4. It’s a literal do-or-die (game). We’ll see,” he added.

After topping the eliminations at 9-3 and making short work of perennial contender Magnolia in the quarterfinals, it has become a rough sailing for Tolentino and Co. against the experienced Gin Kings.

With Tolentino himself shackled, the Batang Pier yielded blowout losses in the first three encounters, 115-93, 119-106 and 127-100.

But as long as there’s hope – no matter how slim – Tolentino said they will hold on to it.

“We’re just staying really positive and sticking with each other,” he said.

“It’s really a hard thing to do right now, being down 0-3. I can’t say we’re good right now (because) we’re down. But morale-wise, I can say the team is still okay. We’re still okay.”