Friday night saw the Globalport Batang Pier receive a beating at the hands of the San Miguel Beermen, forcing them into a do-or-die match against the Alaska Aces for the eighth and last playoff spot.
Having to go through a knockout match is tough, but Batang Pier head coach Franz Pumaren has no qualms — even liking the situation they are in.
“I like where we are right now,” said the 53-year-old Pumaren after their bout at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
“They were all ready that we will not be in this kind of situation.”
Nobody really thought that the Batang Pier would hang on for dear life and end up fighting for a playoff spot after a slow start to their season. There even came a point where they were on the brink of being kicked out early in the tourney, after sporting a dismal 2-6 card.
“Yes, akala namin we’re going [to lose it all],” reflected Pumaren.
But their fortunes turned around late in the conference after taking a huge gamble. The Mikee Romero-owned franchise engaged in a four-team trade last May 6 and looked to be the real winners as they landed Sean Anthony, Bradwyn Guinto, and Jonathan Grey.
Their arrival reinvigorated the Batang Pier, helping them post wins against the Meralco Bolts and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to improve their record to 4-7.
And now that they one last shot to make it into the next round, it all boils down to win or go home for Globalport.
“We just have to win on Sunday. We have to survive our Sunday game,” said Pumaren.
