Pido hits critics after Globalport nails win
Games Tomorrow Smart Araneta)
4:15 p.m. – Meralco vs Blackwater
7 p.m. – Talk ‘N Text vs Alaska
The “monkey” is off his back, says Globalport coach Pido Jarencio. For now, clarifies team owner Mikee Romero though not in so many words.
Smiles, warm handshakes and pats on the back were aplenty yesterday after the Batang Pier held off Barako Bull, 91-81, for their first win in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, momentarily shoving in the backburner talks that Jarencio is on his way out.
Alex Cabagnot had 21 points and 9 rebounds and top draft pick Stanley Pringle added 19 and 8 as Globalport snapped a 7-game losing streak from last conference. It was also only the third win in 18 games for Jarencio, who took over from Ritchie Ticzon in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup.
No categorical statement came Romero that the job of the former University of Santo Tomas star was on the line, but he did admit Jarencio’s performance is “under assessment.”
Neither would Romero confirm reports that he had held informal talks with former Air21 mentor Franz Pumaren as a potential substitute for Jarencio should Globalport’s fortune continue to dip despite the acquisition of Pringle and several top calibre rookies.
“Wala pa naman. Game-to-game? Ewan ko kung puwedeng tawaging ganoon,” said Romero, who admitted feeling extremely disappointed after the Batang Pier blew a 9-point lead against NLEX in the last five minutes several days ago.
“Masakit talaga yung talo na yon,” he said.
Asked what would have happened had Globalport lost back-to-back this season, Romero said: “A pag ganoon, magkaka-alaman na agad.”
The Batang Pier went through a similar situation against Barako Bull, opening a 9-point advantage with a little over five minutes remaining.
This time, however, Globalport knew what it had to do – get the ball in the hands of their most reliable players.
Pringle and Cabagnot set up open teammates to quash a Barako Bull rally, with Mark Isip scoring 6 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter.
Terrence Romeo, who exploded for 33 points against NLEX, just had 9 points in 26 minutes, taking only 13 shots after going to town with 29 attempts the last time out.
Jarencio addressed the rumors without any prodding during the post-game interview.
“Di natin pinapansin yung lumalabas sa social media,” Jarencio said. “Wala naman sinasabi ang management sa’kin tungkol sa sitwasyon ko kaya tuloy lang ako sa pag-coach. Ngayon kasi, maubo ka lang e nasa social media na agad.”
Jarencio, who went 1-8 in his first two conferences with Globalport, said their early win could be a sign of better things to come.
“Siguro natanggal na yung jinx,” he said. “Kahit papa’no, sabi nga, the monkey is off the back. Madulas kasi ako dahil nag-langis ako ng katawan kanina.”
Barako Bull, meanwhile, fell to 0-2 under new coach Koy Banal, who replaced Siot Tanquingcen a day before the opening of the 40th season on Oct. 19.
In the second game, San Miguel Beer (2-0) was forced to the limit in protecting its unbeaten slate, handing undermanned Purefoods Star its second straight loss, 87-80.
Scores:
GLOBALPORT 91 – Cabagnot 21, Pringle 19, Isip 12, De Ocampo 12, Romeo 9, Jensen 7, Bacalao 6, Semerad 5, Taha 0, Buenafe 0, Duncil 0, Ponferada 0, Nabong 0.
BARAKO BULL 81 – Miranda 16, Garcia 12, Marcelo 12, Fortuna 10, Intal 8, Lastimosa 6, Salva 5, Pascual 5, Lanete 5, Wilson 2, Salvador 0, Paredes 0, Pennisi 0.
Quarters: 25-21, 48-47, 74-67, 91-81
Second Game
SAN MIGUEL BEER 87 – Fajardo 22, Tubid 16, Santos 14, Mercado 12, Lutz 9, Kramer 5, Ross 4, Pascual 3, Lassiter 2, Maierhofer 0, Semerad 0, Hubalde 0, Omolon 0, Chua 0.
PUREFOODS 80 – Taha 14, Simon 14, Barroca 13, Devance 11, Melton 9, Maliksi 9, Reavis 8, Mallari 2, Alvarez 0, Holstein 0, Yap 0, Gaco 0, Matias 0, Allado 0.
Quarters: 21-22, 47-33, 66-57, 87-80