BATANG PIER HOPEFUL VS HOTSHOTS

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GLOBALPORT has gotten Star’s number in their initial PBA Governors’ Cup meeting.

Whether the Batang Pier could make it two in a row over the Hotshots would be known Friday when they collide anew, but this time with so much more at stake as the quarterfinals of the season-ending tourney unfold at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

By virtue of finishing the 11-game eliminations with a 7-4 slate, GlobalPort copped the No. 4 seeding and needs only to win once over fifth-ranked Star to advance to its first-ever semifinals stint.

Those victories include a 91-89 squeaker over Star last May 12, the first time GlobalPort won over the former Purefoods franchise in 10 meetings, yet Batang Pier coach Pido Jarencio said Star should remain the favorite.

“Defending champion ‘yung Star kaya underdog kami. Mas experienced kalaban namin,” Jarencio pointed.

But there’s enough reason for Jarencio to be hopeful.

“At least, twice-to-beat kami. Kahit matalo man, may isa pa,” said Jarencio, before adding: “Sa elims tinalo namin ‘yung Star. Iyun ‘yung motivation sa team, na p’wede palang talunin yung Star. Tingnan natin kung p’wedeng maka-tsamba ulit sa kanya (Star coach Tim Cone).”

The reasons GlobalPort has come this far is not lost on Cone.

“They’ve got some young guards there who’re very, very good and a –seven-foot guy (Jarrid Famous),” said Cone of the Batang Pier. “They’ve got a well-balanced team right now, inside and outside.”

Both teams have undergone certain changes since then, making both camps believe each will be in for a long night.

That loss would prove to be the first of four straight for Star. But the Hotshots have recovered nicely and showed their unbridled intent to keep the only crown remaining from their Grand Slam last season by winning five of their last six elims games, including the last three, to finish at 6-5.

For GlobalPort, the win would prove to be the second of three straight as it got off to its best start ever. A few bumps were had along the way but the Batang Pier also finished the elims strong by winning three straight, including a 117-104 overtime victory over eliminations topnotcher Alaska.

Further, replacement import Steve Thomas suited up for GlobalPort then. Now, Famous has come in and is bolstering his inside presence with averages of over 31 points, almost 25 rebounds and over two blocks a night.

Jarencio also relies on Terrence Romeo, Stanley Pringle, Omar Krayem, Doug Kramer and Keith Jensen to deliver on both ends of the court.

Cone relies mainly on do-it-all Marqus Blakely (23.18 points, 13.64 rebounds, 2.73 steals, 2.73 blocks), but the true gauge of where Star is headed depends on the likes of James Yap, Marc Pingris, Joe Devance, Alex Mallari, Mark Barroca and PJ Simon. (NC)

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