Garvo Lanete was a major factor NorthPort’s 124-90 victory over Barangay Ginebra that gave it a 1-0 lead in their 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series, Saturday night.
Benched in the entirety of the first half, the forward out of San Beda was finally inserted in the third quarter. He then made sure to make the most out of the time given by coach Pido Jarencio.
As the Gin Kings knocked within just one after a 16-point disadvantage in the third canto, Lanete formed a trio with Christian Standhardinger and Nico Elorde to arrest their foes’ furious rally.
The Batang Pier then restored order come the final frame, again thanks to Lanete through his long-distance shots. He gave the Batang Pier their biggest lead at 37, 122-85, with 1:17 left to play.
As the final buzzer sounded, Lanete finished the game with 24 points on 6-of-9 shooting from downtown. And he admitted he could not believe that he had scored that much.
“‘Yun sinasabi ko sa mga teammates ko. Sabi ko na I can’t believe na twenty-four points na pala ako,” said Lanete.
But if he’s grateful to anyone for his great performance, it is no one else but Jarencio.
“I’m thankful na grabe si coach Pido magbigay ng kumpyansa sa ‘kin. Ever since, kahit lagi ako minumura niyan,” quipped Lanete, who played for 15 minutes and 31 seconds.
“Lagi ako minumura niyan pero hindi nawawala ‘yung kumpyansa ko kasi ‘pag minumura ka niya, maya-maya, makikipagbiro siya sa ‘yo. So ‘yung kumpyansa nandun pa rin sa taas.”
Now, the 6-foot-2 guard-forward hopes that he can sustain his rhythm as the series progresses.
“I hope to be ano lang, to be consistent. So whatever minutes I play in this team, as long as makatulong ako.”
