ARVIN Tolentino minced no words when declaring what his NorthPort side is gunning for in its remaining PBA Governors' Cup assignments.
"Ang goal namin in this second round is to beat those teams below us and try our best to get a win against teams higher than us in the standings," said Tolentino.
"Kung kayang talunin lahat, why not?" Tolentino added with a shrug and a smile. "But if we can get two or three (more wins), I think we'll be fine."
Whether Tolentino and the rest of the Batang Pier would keep that target in sight would be known Wednesday when they take on the Converge FiberXers at 5:15 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
NorthPort is aiming to improve its current 3-3 record in Group A against a Converge side that has lost three straight and is running fifth in the six-team bracket with a 2-4 slate.
Coincidentally, the FiberXers' slide came after it upended TNT, 96-95, and started with a 109-135 drubbing from NorthPort, when Tolentino notched 51 points.
Making matters worse for Converge is the one-game absence of Justin Arana due to injury. The prized center returned last Sunday in the rematch against TNT, but could not prevent his team from dropping a 91-98 decision.
Only the top four teams from each of the two groups would advance to the crossover quarterfinals and both Tolentino and chief deputy Rensy Bajar believe their team, tied for third-running spot with idle Magnolia, is right on track.
"With the win today medyo maganda position namin," said Tolentino following his first-ever triple-double performance in NorthPort's 133-107 win over hapless Terrafirma last Sunday.
"We have good chances because this is our first game in the second round and iyon naman talaga gusto namin," echoed Bajar, subbing for head coach Bonnie Tan in the post-game presser.
"Hopefully, ma-duplicate namin this Wednesday against Converge, pero one game at a time lang kami," added Bajar.
For sure, NorthPort would be going all out for a win since its remaining assignments are against teams that have beaten it, starting with the matchup against Meralco on Saturday.(NC)
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