WIN COLUMN OR CELLAR
GLOBALPORT and Barako Bull did not get off to the kind of start they wanted in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Which team has made the necessary adjustments and gets to crash the win-column, while avoiding the cellar, would be known Sunday when they clash at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Gametime is 3 p.m.
A 0-2 win-loss start, which became a possibility when they lost their season openers, simply would not do in the short 11-game eliminations and both the Batang Pier and Energy know they must win now or else do a lot of scrambling later on.
GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio believes his team has learned enough lessons from a 96-101 loss to NLEX last Tuesday to get the job done this time around.
“Adjustments have been made on defense and offense and players rotation,” was how Jarencio started enumerating the points his Batang Pier were drilled on the last few days.
“Finishing strong in the game,” added Jarencio, perhaps unwittingly referring to Barako’s own mind-set.
Despite being handled for just four days by new head coach Koy Banal, the Energy displayed some fine form in the early goings against Meralco before dropping a 108-112 double overtime loss last Wednesday.
The way the likes of Chico Lanete, JC Intal, Willy Wilson, Denok Miranda and RR Garcia came up with some outstanding performances give hope for Banal and the rest of Barako.
For Jarencio, it would be a simple matter of finding the right combination at the endgame.
Against NLEX the Batang Pier led by as many as 10 points early and were still ahead by nine in the final 5:31 before fading.
Terrence Romeo scored 33 points, Alex Cabagnot 23 and top draft pick Stanley Pringle debuted with 14 points, , five assists and three steals but he, like Cabagnot, went scoreless in the fourth period. (NC)
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