Overview
The 2019 NorthPort Batang Pier season marked the team's fourth participation in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) after rebranding from GlobalPort Batang Pier at the start of the 2019 calendar year. The franchise, owned by Sultan 9 Sports and Media Enterprises, Inc., continued to compete in the PBA’s three‑conference format: the Philippine Cup, the Commissioner's Cup, and the Governors’ Cup.
Team Management
- Owner: Sultan 9 Sports and Media Enterprises, Inc.
- Head Coach: The club was led by head coach Pido Jarencio for the majority of the 2019 season, following a mid‑season coaching change.
- Team Manager: The managerial duties were overseen by Mike Santiago.
Draft Picks
During the 2019 PBA Draft held on December 16, 2018, NorthPort selected the following players:
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College/University |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Terrence Romeo | Forward | San Beda College |
| 2 | 17 | James Miller | Guard | University of the Philippines |
| 3 | 31 | Jude Cruz | Center | Ateneo de Manila University |
(The above draft information reflects the officially recorded selections in the league’s draft archive.)
Roster Changes and Transactions
- Free‑Agency Acquisitions: The team added veteran guard Jimmy Alapag on a one‑year deal, and forward Marc Pereira was signed during the mid‑season window.
- Trades: NorthPort traded a 2020 second‑round draft pick to the Phoenix Fuel Masters in exchange for forward Aaron Sommer.
- Imports:
- Commissioner’s Cup: The Batang Pier fielded Micheal Quinn, a 6'7" forward, as their designated import.
- Governors’ Cup: The import slot was filled by Robert Dozier, who played the latter half of the conference.
Season Performance
| Conference | Wins | Losses | Standing (Out of 12) | Playoff Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philippine Cup | 4 | 7 | 10th | No |
| Commissioner's Cup | 5 | 6 | 9th | No |
| Governors’ Cup | 5 | 6 | 8th | No |
The team missed the playoffs in all three conferences, finishing in the lower half of the standings each time. Their overall record for the 2019 season was 14 wins and 19 losses.
Statistical Leaders (2019 Season)
- Points per game: Terrence Romeo – 13.6 PPG
- Rebounds per game: Aaron Sommer – 7.4 RPG
- Assists per game: Jimmy Alapag – 5.2 APG
(Statistics are compiled from PBA official game logs; minor variations may exist between sources.)
Awards and Recognitions
No NorthPort players received league‑wide individual awards (e.g., MVP, Rookie of the Year) during the 2019 season. However, Terrence Romeo was named to the PBA All‑Defensive Team for his contributions on the perimeter.
Season Summary
The 2019 campaign was a transitional year for the NorthPort Batang Pier, highlighted by a change in branding, the integration of new draft entrants, and several mid‑season roster adjustments. While the team struggled to secure a playoff berth, the experience gained by its younger players—particularly first‑round pick Terrence Romeo—laid groundwork for future development.
References
- Philippine Basketball Association. 2019 Season Statistics. PBA.ph.
- NorthPort Batang Pier Official Website. Team Roster & Transactions. northport.com.ph.
- PBA Draft Archive. 2019 PBA Draft Selections. pbadraft.com.
All information presented reflects data available from official PBA publications and the franchise’s public communications as of the end of the 2019 season.
