Dehesa feeling good with new team: ‘They just want me to play my game’

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Every guard in the PBA would probably mention either Terrence Romeo or Stanley Pringle as one of the toughest players to defend.

Karl Dehesa, playfully, is somehow relieved he doesn’t have that defensive assignment anymore after he was traded to join GlobalPort’s bevy backcourt led by Pringle and Romeo.

“I’m glad I don’t have to guard them in games anymore,” the 29-year-old Dehesa told INQUIRER.net with a laugh.

Dehesa was acquired from Mahindra for rookies Paolo Taha and Roi Sumang last month.

“It feels good. I like the team, I like the coach, I like the management. Everybody has been really nice to me and welcoming so I’m happy to be here,” he said.

“They just want me to play my game and that’s what I’m going to do. I love this team. They got good guys, veterans, group of young guys and I’m excited to start this conference with them.”

Dehesa showed why Batang Pier brought him in, scoring 13 points, eight coming in the fourth quarter, in an 82-73 loss to the Meralco Bolts in a tune-up game on Wednesday.

GlobalPort showed some fight, keeping the game close despite the absence of Romeo and import Dominique Sutton until Meralco went on a 12-0 run at the eight-minute mark of the fourth quarter.

The Bolts were led by import Allen Durham and Baser Amer, who scored 15 points each.

Dehesa said he’s enjoying his time with his new team and he’s been learning from his teammates especially from the other guards.

“I enjoy playing with Stanley, guys like Joseph Yeo, Jeric Fortuna, everybody. It’s been good and I think once we come together, we’ll be a good team,” he said. “Just being competitive in practice, you tend to pick up some things from your teammates. I’m just looking to learn from everybody.”

“The goal is always to get into the playoffs and get as deep into the playoffs as we can so the goal is definitely get into the finals.”

Dehesa has been a key contributor for his former team Mahindra and GlobalPort hopes to get the same from him.

“Karl is very steady at the two position and the way he played in this tune-up game he was okay so we need him, we need his spot-up shooting and sometimes Terrence needs to rest, Stanley needs to rest so we need him at the one and two position,” said his coach John Cardel.

Joining Cardel in guiding the Batang Pier is Franz Pumaren, who was recently appointed as consultant.

“He’s good. All the guys are buying into his system. He’s a very detailed coach. I enjoy him as our coach,” Dehesa said of Pumaren.

Batang Pier had a disappointing campaign in the Commissioner’s Cup after making the semifinals in the Philippine Cup.

Dehesa said the goal is for GlobalPort is to replicate that feat first before aspiring for a bigger goal.

“There’s always room for improvement. I just wanna play my game and make my teammates better and just help this team get our common goal which is to get into the finals and ultimately, win a championship.”

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