MANILA, Philippines — GlobalPort may be sharing the third place with TNT KaTropa with a 4-3 card in the Philippine Cup. But its chief tactician and top gunner think securing the second spot is not that far-fetched.
After beating Meralco last week, Batang Pier head coach Franz Pumaren noted that the win came at the most opportune time.
“We needed that win,” he said. “We had a bad experience last game when we were ahead and we weren't able to keep our composure together… With this win, we are a game behind the second place teams.”
And for someone who has registered years of basketball as a professional and as a mentor, Pumaren said joining No. 2 Rain or Shine in the standings is doable.
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“It's free to dream and I feel we can achieve that,” he noted. “With games right now, it is still unpredictable.”
The same yearning is echoed by his star guard, Terrence Romeo.
“Hawak parin namin,” he said. “Kung ibibigay namin yung talagang all out namin, tapos lalaurin ‘yung tamang basketball, may chance parin sa [No. 2].
Although both Pumaren and Romeo are wary of the price they have to pay to hike their place in the conference ladder.
“Pero hindi kami 100 percent kasi sobrang lakas na nung mga last games namin,” the cager said.
“At least mahina mga kalaban namin,” the coach offered in jest.
The Batang Pier, who were 3-1 before the Christmas break, were dealt with character tests during the recent holiday break. Last December 21, they were turned back by a young and upstart Blackwater squad. The game on December 28 was perhaps their biggest blunder of the season yet, as they collapsed against a struggling Phoenix side even after leading by as much as 26.
Batang Pier take on the NLEX Road Warriors on Friday, followed by the defending PH Cup champs San Miguel, the offensively deep TNT, and the PBA’s second-best Rain or Shine.
“Crucial stage of the season and hopefully we can sustain [our] run,” Pumaren said.
“Tingin ko, wag nalang naming sigurong tignan kung sino yung kalaban… Basta pag andun na kami sa court, laruin lang namin yung tamang basketball—tamang depensa, tamang opensa. Tapos mangyayari nalang kung ano yung mangyayari,” Romeo chimed in.