More than anything else, putting as many Ws in the bag in as little time possible is vital in the sprint-like PBA Governors’ Cup race, and the GlobalPort Batang Pier have already booked two by an astounding margin.
Trying to get out of the cellar early, the Batang Pier trounced Meralco Tuesday night, 92-73 before following it with a 100-76 beating of Blackwater Friday, the franchise’s biggest victory.
Beating two teams to jump to the top of the team standings on opening week gives the Batang Pier some much-needed rhythm as they clash with even stronger opposition in the weeks to come, according to Jarencio.
It would also be a good gauge to see how the squad will fare against the rest of the league.
“Nakuha namin ang momentum. Kapag nakuha mo na ‘yung rhythm tuloy-tuloy na yan. Yung mga games namin against Purefoods and San Miguel, yan, mga acid test kung nasaan na ang team,” Jarencio said.
“Ang mindset lang namin is yung teams na nakalaban namin hindi na namin mababalikan so sabi ko sa kanila from the start ibigay na ang lahat.”
Against the Elite, GlobalPort drew big games from Terrence Romeo (20 points), Stanley Pringle (18 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 7-for-10 shooting), and Ronjay Buenafe (16 points) and shot 39 percent from three-point land.
Pringle, who did not play against Meralco due to injury, was pivotal in the second and third quarters where he scored all of his 18 points, allowing GlobalPort to break the game wide-open.
Jarencio adds it would be a huge positive for the team’s depth in the backcourt position.
“Pine-pacing namin. Gigil na gigil na siya maglaro e. At least na-feel na niya ‘yung game. ‘Yung rotation namin lumalalim,” he said.
They also torched Blackwater in transition, scoring 15 fastbreak points and having 22 points off 17 Blackwater turnovers. In the rebounding battle, the Batang Pier also possessed the upperhand, 62-50, and Jarencio credits total team effort for the Batang Pier’s win.
“Yung locals at imports nagtulungan. Nasunod lang ang defensive plan and ‘yung offense namin, up-tempo,” he added.
The same effort would be needed for GlobalPort to win more matches, but at this point the team is just grateful to have booked two victories already in as many games.
Photo by PBA Images
