When second-year pro Jonathan Grey emerged from the locker room of the Philippine Arena on Monday evening, he was visibly dejected. It did not seem that he had just scored 13 points — his highest scoring output since September 22.
Instead of focusing on the positives brought about by the Globalport Batang Pier’s 104-115 loss to the league-leading NLEX Road Warriors, the 25-year-old talked about what he needs to improve on and what needs to be done.
“Di ko alam e. Para sa akin kasi hindi maganda yung nilaro ko,” he shared.
Right in the very first game of the 2017-18 PBA Season, Grey saw more minutes compared to what he used to see during Franz Pumaren’s term as Batang Pier head coach. The 6-foot-3 guard played 25 minutes and even started the game, his fourth career start.
Grey believes that Pido Jarencio’s quick tempo-style is suited for his game. And he thinks that this is the reason why he will be getting good minutes this season.
“Si Coach Pido fast paced yung laro e kaya sa tingin ko advantage yun para sa akin.
“Siguro, nagustahan niya yung laro ko kaya nakakalaro ako. Siyempre kailangan bata kung takbuhan ang laro so yun yung pagkakaiba nila Coach Franz,” the former Saint Benilde Blazer added.
Jarencio, on the other hand, wants Grey to be more consistent. He noted that the minutes will be there but the fiery tactician wants to see his trust be repaid with quality minutes.
“I think kailangan maging consistent lang siya, not just offensively kailangan defensively din,” the UST legend said.
Grey hopes to find the consistency his mentor is asking of him, as he is fully committed to the system ran by Jarencio.
“Nagpa-condition ako, nag-lose ata ako ng five pounds. Talagang nagpa-kondisyon ako. Sabi kasi ni coach Pido na kailangan niya kami at hiningi niya ang full commitment namin,” the native of Laguna disclosed about what he did during the off-season.
“Para sa akin, try ko lang best ko every game para sa team.”
