NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio got what he wished for after the team’s stunning 109-83 win over the TNT KaTropa in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Apart from receiving a bulk of congratulatory messages, Jarencio and the Batang Pier shared with gusto the ‘pansit’ given by a team who benefited much from their victory.
In a post-game interview, Jarencio quipped,
“Eh kung nabigyan naman sila ng free ticket para maging number one or number two, kung sino man team ‘yun, magpadala na lang ng pagkain sa practice bukas. Ganun lang ‘yun.”
With their bid for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters under threat from either Ginebra and TNT, the Rain or Shine Painters received the bonus as a result of NorthPort’s massive win.
Having read Jarencio’s comments, Rain or Shine team owners Raymond Yu and Terry Que ordered and delivered the Chinese noodles during NorthPort’s practice at Green Meadows gym in Quezon City.
Least it would be construed as a “gift”, Yu stressed it was just a gesture of friendship and acknowledgment of one’s achievement.
Before the TNT-ROS game, the former were in the running for the bonus with a 7-3 card, while ROS had earlier closed out their elimination campaign with an 8-3 mark.
Ginebra were also in the thick of it with a 6-3 record, but TNT’s loss ruined their chances.
“Hope it will not be interpreted in a different way. We have read what coach Pido wants so we obliged,” said Yu.
“Sabi kasi pagkain, so naisip ko pansit.”
NorthPort Board Governor and AirAsia executive Erick Arejola thanked the generosity of ROS owners, although Jarencio’s comments were just said in jest.
