GlobalPort preview

MANILA, Philippines — The sky’ the limit for GlobalPort Batang Pier.

Having won a couple of games in the pre-season tournament with a severely depleted roster, it’s not hard to see the optimism from within the team is high.

“‘Yung one month practice lang namin na magkakasama, wala pa nga sila Terrence (Romeo), sila (Yousef) Taha, naging positive ang result. Nanalo kahit exhibition game, kahit kulang-kulang,” Batang Pier’s new head coach Pido Jarencio said.

“Ang point doon is makikita mo, merong positive. Iba parin 'yung nananalo ka eh. Iba 'yun. Kasi I'm building a culture dito, which is a winning tradition.”

Jarencio took over the Batang Pier after Franz Pumaren’s leave of absence in the off-season.

The outspoken mentor also hopes that the feisty attitude he was able to inculcate into players in his stint in the amateur level will also be absorbed by his new wards.

“'Yung attitude na pinapasok ko dito sa team eh, ‘not giving up.’ Kailangan positive ang outlook, walang (negative), walang pin-pointing—walang sisihan,” he shared.

GlobalPort, still considered as a young team in the PBA, was able to barge into the playoffs twice last year. Although they were unable to get past in the quarters as they were met with usual suspects TNT and Ginebra in the all-Filipino and second conference respectively.

Jarencio will be handling a healthy mix of veterans and newcomers. Romeo and Stanley Pringle are set to reprise their backcourt tandem with Nico Elorde coming in as a reinforcement. Kelly Nabong, who was released by the Bolts last season, will be shoring-up the frontline alongside Sean Anthony,  Taha and rookies Lervyn Flores, Julian Sargent and Joseph Gabayni.

It is worth noting, though, that Batang Pier’s prized guard in Romeo still tentative as he is still recovering from a knee operation.

But that being said, Jarencio is also taking things in stride.

“Ang mga players ready na rin naman lahat. Kaya pagdating ni Terrence, malaking bagay na makakatulong siya. Kung wala pa si Terrence, OK din kami kasi ready parin naman kami,” he said.

Batang Pier will put to test their readiness when they take on the loaded and Kiefer Ravena-powered NLEX squad in a Christmas Day tussle at the Philippine Arena, 4 p.m.