NORTHPORT’S win over TNT ended the hopes of the KaTropa and Barangay Ginebra for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals of the PBA Philippine Cup.
But with the Batang Pier fighting for their playoff lives, that was the least of Pido Jarencio's concerns.
“Actually, wala kaming pakialam sa kanilang lahat,” the NorthPort coach said with a smile. “Ang pakialam namin manalo kami. Kami muna. Intindihin muna namin ‘yung problema namin. Bahala na sila sa mga problema nila.
“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. Kung amin ‘yun, baka magpadala pa ako pagkain sa kanila. Kaya lang may lason. Baka sila makalaban namin eh,” said Jarencio laughing.
Turning serious, Jarencio, a former player of Ginebra, said he was happy to see the Batang Pier end their six-game losing skid and keep their quarterfinal hopes alive with just their third win in nine games.
“Basta kami, ang focus namin, alam mo ‘yung mga legends, diyan nakikita ‘yan. ‘Yung mga down ka na, down ‘yung team mo tapos bubuhayin mo, hanggang umabot pa hanggang sa taas. ‘Yun ang iniisip namin ngayon na gawa tayo ng pangalan na dito tayo mag-umpisa.
“’Yung pride, puso, palaban, lalaban na ngayon ‘yan. Sabi ko lang sa kanila, basta positive, trust the process, trust the coaches, trust each other. Win or lose, we need to be tougher. Hindi puwedeng mag-watak watak tayo,” said Jarencio.
Jarencio said it's not too late for NorthPort to mount a comeback.
“They key is communication. They are not talking. Na-set ko na lahat, opensa at depensa. Kapag hindi kayo nag-uusap sa loob, malaking problema. Ngayon, kinakausap ko naman sila isa’t-isa na maging responsible, maging leader sa loob ng court, at ‘yan ang result,” said Jarencio.
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