During his seven-year stay with UST – when the Growling Tigers made it to the UAAP Finals thrice – Pido Jarencio wanted his players to have three traits: pride, puso, and palaban.
In his time with the NorthPort Batang Pier, however, he found it hard to find a player that fit the mold.
Well up until last year, that is, when NorthPort traded for Sean Anthony.
Sunday evening, Anthony showed these three traits as he played the four position against the wall of the NLEX Road Warriors.
“Alam naman natin si Sean, talagang laban kung laban ‘yan eh,” gushed Jarencio.
“‘Yan ang player na may pride, may puso, palaban. Talagang yan ang attitude.”
Anthony finished the game with 22 points, nine rebounds, seven steals, and five assists to lead NorthPort to a 95-90 victory. Moreover, the 6-foot-4 forward did this while guarding the likes of JR Quiñahan on the other end.
Playing against bigger forwards, the nine-year pro disclosed that he uses his hustle and speed to offset what he lacks.
“As a four, I’m undersized compared to the other fours. But I think what we lack in size we make up for in speed, heart, hustle… That kind of stuff, the intangibles.
“As you saw, Mo [Tautuaa] stepped up and Brad [Guinto] had a great game last time. I think out bigs are doing alright and we match up with some real tough bigs in Quinahan and Erram. And we held our own tonight. Moving forward, we just gotta continue to do that,” said Anthony.
Even if Anthony has been with NorthPort for a year already, he never ceases to surprise Jarencio.
“Sixth man nga lang namin siya eh. Off the bench siya tapos nag-deliver, double-double performance. Tapos nakikita mo ‘yung hustle, hindi tumitigil,” gushed Jarencio.
“Nagugulat nga ako, parang ‘di napapagod eh.”
And Anthony has more in store for Jarencio and NorthPort.
