A NEW import has arrived for GlobalPort. Whether he could help the team snap out of recent woes is the more pressing question.
The Batang Pier parade Walter Sharpe for the first time when they tangle with fellow freefaller Air21 Sunday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We will see,” said GlobalPort coach Junel Baculi of the 26-year-old Sharpe, a former Detroit Piston who planed in Friday evening and is coming off a stint in the Chinese league’s second division.
Sharpe, listed at 6-9 and tabbed at 32nd overall by the Seattle Supersonics, replaced Justin Williams, who has been a pillar on defense but offensively-strapped.
Overall, Williams had conference highs of 18 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game but only 13.4 points, including just five in a one-point loss to Meralco.
“Hindi naman kami humihingi sa kanya ng 40 points each game,” related Baculi of Williams. “Basta enough lang na puntos para makatulong.”
In a 95-103 loss to Rain or Shine last Friday, Williams finished with just six points and 10 rebounds after being benched in the game’s last 17 minutes.
Baculi’s move was understandable, for Williams was being consistently outplayed by the Rain or Shine counterpart Bruno Sundov and even by the Elasto Painters’ locals.
Needless to say, Sharpe has to cram in learning the Batang Pier system. But the locals must do their part in arresting their four-game skid.
Baculi’s marching orders have been clearly laid out. “We have to limit the production of (Michael) Dunigan and (Mike) Cortez, plus (Nino) Canaleta,” he stated.
Air21 is also nearing panic mode after having dropped five straight, its latest loss an 88-89 heartbreaker to Meralco last Wednesday.
Now, the Express must contend with the so-called MMDA combo of Sol Mercado, Willie Miller, Gary David and Japeth Aguilar, not to mention Sharpe.
“Must-win for us to stay in the hunt for the playoffs,” said Air21 coach Franz Pumaren, adding a collective effort must be made on the defensive end in order to off-set the unfamiliarity with Sharpe and GlobalPort’s amply-stocked arsenal.
“We are clueless regarding their new import,” said Pumaren. “We need to limit the point-production of MMDA and for us to play consistently the whole game and finish the game strong.” (NC)
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.