NorthPort coaches intended to give their players a well-deserved break for the holidays after the Batang Pier finished first in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup in 2024.

However, Arvin Tolentino insisted differently.

Determined to keep their form, the NorthPort star demanded that the players continue to practice during the holidays so that they would not lose their edge when they returned from their break.

“During the holiday break, talagang he is the leader na nag-o-object na we get a long break, a team break,” stated NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan.

“He’s the first player to inform us na he wants to practice and and not getting a long break but a short break lang, okay na.”

Tolentino stated that they cannot afford to lose 10 days of practice, especially in the middle of a conference that they are presently leading.

“Ang plano dapat namin is from December 20, balik kami January 2. I told the guys na that 10-day break, medyo mabigat ‘yun eh. We’re still in the middle of the season. We can’t afford to do that,” Toletino said.

“So I asked the coaches [if we can practice]. I asked the guys also na konting sacrifice kasi this is our job. Plus, we are on a roll now. We’re 6-1, number one in the league. We can’t afford to do is ‘yung mag-relax, kasi No. 1 tapos biglang 10 days off, baka dumausdos eh,” he too added.

The squad opted to continue practicing, but not as intensely, in order to stay in shape amidst the holiday festivities with family and friends.

Tolentino is appreciative to his teammates for heeding the request to continue working over the Christmas and New Year period.

The additional effort during the holidays paid off in their first game of 2025, when NorthPort snapped a 14-game losing run to Barangay Ginebra, winning 119-116 last Wednesday to maintain first place in the rankings with a 7-1 win-loss record.

However, Tolentino stated that the work is far from done, highlighting the importance of being hungry and focused on the goal of winning a title for the Batang Pier.

Meanwhile, Jio Jalalon is still adjusting to his maiden appearance for Northport in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The 32-year-old spitfire guard has been cleared to play after missing the Batang Pier’s first seven games with a back issue (sciatica).

And, clearly, he is not yet in game shape, as he discovered in the team’s 119-116 victory over Barangay Ginebra on Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena.

He is still grateful, said Jalalon, who played his first competition game in nearly four months. 

Jalalon played only five minutes and shot 0-for-2. He had one rebound and two assists.

His final game with the Batang Pier came on September 20 against his previous team Magnolia, who lost 110-94.

He then returned against Barangay Ginebra, which Northport won in an exciting final round.

The Arellano University graduate admitted that playing his first game back against the Kings was not intentional.

He did get a sense of how far he is from reclaiming his prior devastating form.

Still, it was a fitting greeting for the former Defensive Player of the Year, as the Batang Pier eked off a narrow win over the Kings to maintain first place with a 7-1 record, edging closer to the first quarterfinal slot.

Jalalon, on the other hand, remains confident that he will be able to return to playing shape in time for the playoffs, assuming Northport makes it.

Northport will face Meralco, Rain or Shine, and San Miguel in its next three games, thus Jalalon needs to get back into shape as soon as possible.