Last Wednesday, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel head coach Tim Cone expressed confidence in Paolo Taha, saying that the combo guard can blossom in his return to the GlobalPort Batang Pier – his team during his early PBA years.
The Gin Kings shipped Taha back to the Batang Pier this past Tuesday in exchange for rookie wingman Julian Sargent, as the Barangay are looking at younger talent whom they can develop and utilize in the near future.
“We just really, really felt that Paolo was being underutilized by us. And he’s such a great kid. A really super humble kid and we just felt it was an opportunity for him to get out and get some playing time ’cause he was buried in our rotation,” Cone shared.
Statements like that will raise expectations over the College of Saint Benilde product. But Taha is unfazed, saying that his only focus in his second foray in GlobalPort is to do what he needs to.
“Hindi naman nape-pressure. Nandito ako to give my best, makatulong ako sa team, kay coach Pido [Jarencio],” said the 29th overall pick in the 2014 Draft.
“Yun lang gusto ni coach, dumepensa at give energy. Bonus na yung points. Defense lang.”
Unlike for Ginebra, Taha played for over 24 minutes, producing four points and six rebounds to help GlobalPort romp the struggling Columbian Dyip, 133-115.
Now, with his first game done, Taha looks to familiarize himself even more.
“Siyempre adjustment period pa. Yung system namin iba sa Ginebra. Triangle offense kami, dito running, fast-paced, so adjustment,” shared the 6-foot guard.
“Alam ko na naman yung sistema ni coach Pido. Siguro konting conditioning pa.”
And he hopes that he will be fully adjusted with the Batang Pier come July 6, as they take on the Barangay at the Cuneta Astrodome, where their quarterfinal aspirations are at stake – GlobalPort are just a win away.
“Maga-adjust ako. Hopefully next game adjust na ako against Ginebra.”
