NorthPort Batang Pier head coach Pido Jarencio was far from his usual jovial mood when he took the podium for the post-game press conference of his side’s 100-97 win over the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Wednesday night.
Jarencio expressed concern regarding his star forward Sean Anthony, whom he said suffered an apparent groin injury during the game. Anthony was unable to finish the match, but ended up with 19 points, six rebounds, and six steals.
“My main concern si Sean talaga.
“Parang may pumitik sa groin niya ngayon lang eh. Kaya nga ‘di ko na ginamit kanina eh. Ayaw na nating ma-aggravate yung injury,” lamented the veteran bench strategist.
That is why Jarencio could not celebrate the Batang Pier’s victory much, even if it meant avoiding a playoff match for the eighth and last spot of the quarterfinals, as they have clinched the seventh seed.
“Sana maging healthy siya sa quarters,” he said.
Meanwhile, Anthony stressed that he isn’t in any serious pain. But he hopes that there won’t be further complications, especially now that the Batang Pier are quarters-bound.
“We’re gonna check it out right now. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious,” he said.
But regardless of the results, Anthony will still prepare along with with the Batang Pier for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, who will be a tall mountain to climb for NorthPort as they hold a twice-to-beat advantage.
“Rain or Shine’s a great team. They move the ball really well, they got great big men. Great shooter – James [Yap] has been playing unreal and shooting the ball really well,” warned the nine-year league veteran from Vancouver.
“We’re watching tape, and [we’ll] start doing our homework and get prepared for Sunday’s game.”
