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After chalking up their first victories, GlobalPort and Barako Bull look to continue their winning run when the two teams clash on Sunday.
Game time is at 3 p.m.
Interestingly, the duel will also be the first meeting between Terrence Romeo and JC Intal since their Gilas stint as they lead their respective squads in the 2016 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The Batang Pier are coming off a 101-94 win over the Star Hotshots last Oct. 30 while the Energy pulled off an 82-79 stunner over the Barangay Ginebra Kings last Saturday.
Romeo has regained his shooting touch after a sluggish debut in Davao and that just bodes well for the Batang Pier, who are also getting a huge boost with Stanley Pringle’s stellar play.
Coach Pido Jarencio is elated with his squad’s development, saying that his young team is primed for a big leap this season after last year’s promising run.
“Marami pang ma-i-improve yung team. Yung chemistry, kulang pa, pero naka-adjust naman yung team,” said Jarencio, who stressed the importance of avoiding a 0-2 hole. “Na-push natin yung panic button na di pwedeng mag-0-2. Isang round lang ito at may mission tong team na ito makapunta ng playoffs.”
For the Energy, their success against the Kings was due to the squad’s move to rectify last season’s Achilles heel, which was their defense.
“It will all start in the defensive end. We were last on defense last season,” said coach Koy Banal. “Our offense will start on our good defense.”
And true to the word, they delivered, forcing huge turnovers in the end game to snatch the victory from Ginebra’s clutches.
However, Barako Bull could be without one of its key cogs in Chico Lanete, who is still nursing an eye injury he sustained late against Ginebra.
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