Just a few months ago, Janine Pontejos was trying to keep Caloocan afloat. Now, she has become a pivotal piece in Akari-Rizal’s bid for another Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Finals appearance.
Pontejos continued her stellar run with the Sparks last Sunday, erupting for 24 points on six three-pointers to power an emphatic 84-50 victory over RK Hoops-Quezon City 10ACT in Game 1 of their best-of-three semifinal series at the Parañaque Coliseum.
The transition, however, was far from seamless.
The 33-year-old shooting guard admitted she initially struggled to adjust to Akari-Rizal’s up-tempo system, especially after having limited training sessions during her stint with the Lady Kankaloo.
“Mahirap ang adjustment ko kasi since wala kaming training masyado sa Caloocan, medyo ano ang laking adjustment sa akin sa conditioning ko,” said Pontejos, who, along with Rejoice Adlawan, was traded by Caloocan to the Sparks in exchange for Angel Anies and a second-round pick midway through the regular season.
“Puro kami takbuhan sa Akari, pero good thing naman naka-adapt agad ako. Malaking bagay para sa’kin na nakuha ko ulit ‘yung kumpyansa ko and ‘yung hangin ko talaga, as in bumalik talaga,” she added.
(C) WMPBL
With the adjustment behind her, the Gilas Pilipinas guard said life has become much easier in Akari-Rizal.
Unlike her time with the Lady Kankaloo, where opposing defenses focused heavily on stopping her every game, Pontejos said the Sparks’ deep roster has given her more freedom to play her game and simply take the opportunities that come her way.
“’Yun nga, naging madali rin para sa akin kasi tiwala sila sa akin and ako, ginagawa ko lang ‘yung part ko na sinasabi ni Coach Derrick then sila na ‘yung nagse-set up sa akin,” said Pontejos.
“May legit point guard, meron akong taga-rebound, so mas madali para sa akin ‘yung trabaho ko,” she added.
Now just one win away from another WMPBL Finals berth, Pontejos finds herself in a position that seemed unlikely just weeks into the season—a legitimate chance to compete for a league championship after beginning the campaign near the bottom of the standings.
“Kailangan pagdating sa playoffs, ibigay na ‘yung best na kailangan namin para makarating kami sa finals.”
