Warning: Undefined variable $column_strips in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 78
ALL ABOUT TEAM BALL
Warning: Undefined variable $column_strips in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 153
Warning: Undefined variable $nocontent in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 236
Warning: Undefined variable $iscovid in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 239
Warning: Undefined variable $FEAT_STORIES in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 685
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, bool given in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 688
Warning: Undefined array key 0 in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 730
Solomon Mercado never doubted the capabilities of GlobalPort, even though the team wasn’t even given a second look given the Batang Pier’s busy offseason, which included a coaching change one week before the start of the new PBA season.
For even after a faltering 1-3 start, made worse by the franchise’s back-to-back defeats to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and three-time Philippine Cup champion Talk ‘N Text, Mercado took charge by engineering the franchise back to life to with his big, fighting heart.
Mercado’s burning desire was made more pronounced when he fired a personal conference-best 33 points to lead GlobalPort to a pulsating 93-89 win over Meralco.
Two days later, the Biola University product led GlobalPort’s second half blitzkrieg to ambush title contender Rain or Shine, 90-88, en route to the franchise’s first-ever back-to-back wins.
For his efforts, Mercado clearly came out as the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period of December 2-8, beating teammate Jay Washington, Petron Blaze’s June Mar Fajardo and Barangay Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar.
Mercado knows the odds are stacked against them this season, since the team also has five rookies and several veterans acquired from trades during the offseason.
“I know you guys didn’t believe. Nobody really thought where we’ll be at right now. New coach in one week (before the start of the tournament), six rookies, eight new guys. Who would have thought we’d be 3-3?” said the 29-year-old GlobalPort playmaker.
Mercado, who also serves as mentor to rookie guards Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia, said their newfound intensity is a product of the team’s commitment to play defense and the conscious effort to play team basketball.
“It’s (back-to-back wins) a confidence boost for us, the stuff that we do together off the court translates on the court,” he said.
“The commitment of sharing the ball, and with everybody playing a key role, and then, to get this back-to-back wins after doing that is huge for us.”
While the tournament is still a long way to go, Mercado is confident that each victory brings the Batang Pier a step closer to their goal of making the playoffs, and who knows, perhaps, a first-ever Finals appearance in just the franchise’s second season. (RD)
Warning: Undefined array key "TESTPAGE" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 254
Warning: Undefined array key "fb" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 280
Warning: Undefined variable $thinq in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 318
Warning: Undefined variable $var_sports_vlurb in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 328
Warning: Undefined variable $mindanaoQuake2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 442
Warning: Undefined variable $showSolicit_batanes in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 459
Warning: Undefined variable $seagames in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 475
Warning: Undefined variable $tokyoOlympics2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 481
Warning: Undefined variable $help_taal in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 490
Warning: Undefined variable $help_ompong in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 525
Warning: Undefined variable $elections_2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 538
Warning: Undefined variable $typhoon_2018_redirect in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 543
Warning: Undefined variable $ncov2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 555
Warning: Undefined variable $tyhoon2020_marthon in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 578
Warning: Undefined variable $dotnet23 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 585
Warning: Undefined variable $suicide in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 595
Warning: Undefined variable $yearend2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 600
Warning: Undefined array key "inqplus_test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 609
Warning: Undefined array key "newreadnext" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 664
Warning: Undefined array key "test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 802
EDITORS' PICK
Warning: Undefined variable $data_for_HompageFG_obj in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 816
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, null given in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 819
Warning: Undefined variable $MR_data_for_obj in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 850
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, null given in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 850
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.
Warning: Undefined variable $bc_tag in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 1239
