REACHING FOR NEW HEIGHTS
GLOBALPORT has plumbed the depths of despair in its first two tournaments with coach Pido Jarencio at the helm.
Having now exceeded the total number of wins under Jarencio, the Batang Pier try to continue reaching for new heights when they take on Rain or Shine Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The winner gets to at least keep its tie for third-running spot while relegating its victim to seventh.
Such a goal is lofty enough for GlobalPort, which wound up 10th the last two conferences with only as many total numbers to show, but now has won two in a row and three in five games overall.
“Ang sinabi ko nga dati sa mga players, ‘Wala kaming pupuntahan kundi pataas. Nothing to lose kami kaya dapat all-out na bawa’t game,’” related Jarencio following an 87-72 win over Blackwater last Sunday.
Now comes Rain or Shine, a team that is used to lofty finishes the last three years.
“We need more effort and hustle against Rain or Shine. And consistency,” said Jarencio.
GlobalPort surely does.
The Elasto Painters are eager to follow up their 99-71 victory over Barako Bull last Friday, not only to move up in the standings but also gain momentum going into the tough homestretch of their elimination round campaign.
Following a game against Meralco Saturday, Rain or Shine takes a nine-day break before winding up the elims against NLEX, Purefoods Star, Alaska and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
But E-Painters coach Yeng Guiao prefers to focus on the task at hand. “GlobalPort demands great attention in terms of preparation,” he said.
“They are rising rapidly and making life difficult for other teams. We must contain their guard rotation and show the same degree of aggressiveness we showed the last game. For us, it’s as if we are playing any of the top contenders in this league,” added Guiao.
“They’ve done a great job in the off-season in upgrading their capabilities.”
Still, it doesn’t hurt Rain or Shine any that Jeff Chan has found his fiery touch of late. After averaging 7.3 points in their first three games, the southpaw hotshot has normed 19.5 ppg in their last two, including a 23-point explosion against Barako.
With Paul Lee, Beau Belga, Raymond Almazan and Gabe Norwood foremost among those expected to chip in, the Batang Pier could be in for a tough night.
Yet GlobalPort’s own arsenal has also stirred into life, led by Ronjay Buenafe, Alex Cabagnot, Stanley Pringle and even rookie Anthony Semerad.
Buenafe has averaged 19.0 points the last two games, Cabagnot and Pringle combined for 23 points, 16 rebounds and 14 assists versus Kia while Semerad poured in a career-high 16 markers.
The likes of Mark isip, Yancy de Ocampo, Paolo Taha, John Pinto and Jewel Ponferada have also done their share but what Jarencio is really looking for is for Terrence Romeo to rediscover his shooting touch.
Romeo, who opened up the season with a league-high 33 points but has gone 5-for-33 from the field since, did not see action for Kia but will suit up Wednesday. (NC)
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