Not all defeats are detrimental. Some are crucial for one’s growth.
The Globalport Batang Pier have exemplified that best, as they finally came back into the win column after a two-game slide in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup.
The Batang Pier staved off the Meralco Bolts Friday night, 97-89, improving their record to 4-3 and gaining a share of the fourth spot in the rankings along with Phoenix and Blackwater.
But prior to their bounce-back victory, Globalport had come off a heartbreaking loss last 2016 — days before the New Year’s Eve celebration –at the hands of the surging Phoenix Fuel Masters.
The match, which took place at the Cuneta Astrodome back in December 28, saw Globalport lead by as much as 26 points — only to squander such and bow to the Fuel Masters by just a basket, 101-99.
And for Globalport’s franchise player, the said loss was among the worst to have happened in his young career.
“Yun yung isa sa pinakasayang na game na nangyari sa buong career ko.
“Fourth quarter na yun eh, ilang minutes na lang tapos nakuha pa sa amin,” recalled Romeo about the defeat Phoenix had dealt the, in which he scored 32 markers.
But now that that setback is a thing of the past, the 24-year-old guard pointed out that their recent losses have only helped them grow better as a single unit, and have allowed them to learn much.
“Kailangan kung paano namin nakuha yung lamang, dapat mas doble yung intensity namin para ma-defend yung lamang namin. Ngayon ganun pa rin eh — lumamang kami, nakadikit pa rin sila,” said Romeo about the effort Meralco had displayed by erasing a 14-point lead to tie the match at 74 early in the final period.
“Good thing lang is nagmamature na kami as a team,” added Romeo, who led Globalport and all scorers with his output of 27 markers on 10 of 23 shooting from the field.
Globalport, as mentioned, are now at the fourth spot, but they have a chance of making it into the top two at the end of the eliminations. But for Romeo and the team, they do not want to get caught up with the possibility.
“‘Wag nalang naming sigurong tignan kung sino yung kalaban. Basta pag andun na kami sa court, laruin lang namin yung tamang basketball—tamang depensa, tamang opensa,” Romeo declared.
“Tapos mangyayari na lang kung ano yung mangyayari.”
