Jarencio: GlobalPort has nothing to lose vs ‘favorite’ Alaska
Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Despite coming off an inspiring win in the playoffs, GlobalPort remains the underdog against top seed Alaska in their 2016 Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup semifinals beginning Monday night at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Batang Pier’s 84-83 overtime victory over fancied Barangay Ginebra in their knockout match in the quarterfinals could be a morale-boosting one heading to the Final Four, according to coach Pido Jarencio.
Still, Jarencio agrees with the odds that the Aces remain as the favorites in their best-of-seven duel.
“Siyempre naman beteranong team yun (Alaska), laging nasa semis and championship,” Jarencio said when asked if he considers Alaska the favorite over his team.
“Basta ang motivation namin dito, nothing to lose kami.”
The Aces routed the Batang Pier, 123-104, in their lone match up in the eliminations.
Despite that blowout loss, Jarencio likes his team’s chances of pulling an upset the way it did against the no. 4 seeded Kings.
“Quickness for quickness, makakasabay kami sa kanila. At the same time, yung hunger (namin) andun,” said Jarencio.
The Batang Pier are also not lacking in experience, stressed Jarencio, citing the presence of some players who already know how to win a championship.
“Yung mga napunta sa aming players mga winners din. Sila Terrence (Romeo), Stanley (Pringle) at tsaka yung mga bago pa lang naman ang hindi nakatikim ng semis at championship sa PBA,” he noted. “Halos lahat nakatikim ng championship, si Billy (Mamaril), Doug (Kramer), Rico (Maierhofer), and Joseph Yeo.”
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