BATANG PIER EYE PAYBACK
This is a game GlobalPort probably will want to win more than any other in the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup.
Unless it’s for a slot in the Finals or for the championship.
Three months ago, GlobalPort stood on the brink of a potential do-or-die for a semifinal berth in last season’s Governors’ Cup, leading the way for three quarters against fourth seed Rain or Shine in their quarterfinal playoff.
But the Batang Pier had lost coach Junel Baculi to two technicals earlier and his absence proved pivotal as Yeng Guiao’s Elasto Painters rallied behind Arizona Reid to beat rudderless GlobalPort, 108-106.
That painful setback precipitated a chain of events that culminated with Baculi getting fired last month and ex-pro Richie Ticzon, tapped initially to serve as an assistant, taking over the interim head coaching job.
Now Ticzon, a former Purefoods point guard with a deadly outside shot, can do what Baculi forfeited by allowing himself to get ejected – beat Rain or Shine.
The two teams meet in the first game of a blockbuster doubleheader Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Gametime is 3 p.m., with the Elasto Painters eyeing their fifth win in six games and the Batang Pier, older and wiser, seeking a 3-3 record.
Both teams are coming off inspired victories.
Rain or Shine is fresh from a spectacular 86-83 victory over San Mig Super Coffee Friday night where 2012 top rookie Paul Lee unloaded a career-high 26 points, including 11 in the fourth period along with a head-shaking off-the-glass triple.
Even Lee acknowledged divine intervention by pointing an index finger upward.
GlobalPort, meanwhile, wore down Meralco, 93-89, as veteran point guard Sol Mercado finished with a game-high 33 points and forward Jay Washington added 27 points with 10 rebounds.
Rookie RR Garcia stepped out of the shadow cast by teammate Terrence Romeo by finishing with 12 points, including two clutch triples in the last four minutes.
“We played sloppy in the end game,” said Guiao. “We were just lucky to get away with the win.”
GlobalPort will be eyeing its first back-to-back win, a goal Ticzon will have to whip his team in a frenzy for to accomplish, especially against hard-to-ruffle Rain or Shine. (WJRHT)
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