A TEAM built around Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle, two of the most explosive guards in the PBA, GlobalPort has been waiting for the right pieces to complement the two young stars in their bid to make a championship push.
They may have found the right players who could help the two guys in reaching their goal of finally moving up to the finals.
Phoenix coach Ariel Vanguardia believes the Batang Pier have now become a legitimate title contender and they’ve proven that in the first two games of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Although the Batang Pier had different results in the first two games — losing the first one and surviving a late rally by the Fuel Masters before salvaging a win in their second game — signs are clear that GlobalPort is now ready to hit the big time.
“GlobalPort is a loaded team,” Mr. Vanguardia told BusinessWorld. “They could have won against Rain or Shine with an import scoring only three points. That’s how strong this team is.”
The Batang Pier lost a close match to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters with Jabril Trawick finishing with only three points before fouling out of the game.
For most part, they played with an all-Filipino lineup, drawing strength from Messrs. Romeo and Pringle and new acquisitions Sean Anthony and Bradwyn Guinto.
Mr. Anthony provided the team the hustle and energy at the forward spot and Mr. Guinto adds size and strength in the center position.
The entry of new reinforcement, Murphy Holloway, a former NFL player, makes the Batang Pier a lot more solid up front as they now have the pieces to complement their backcourt.
“I think Sean Anthony fits well with the team. He just goes there, rebounds like a Rudy Hatfield. Now, they have an import who is like a Eugene Phelps, an Allen Durham and an Aaron Fuller. This is a contender. We played a contender team in GlobalPort,” added Mr. Vanguardia.
Mr. Holloway barely knew his team, but as soon as he played with Messrs. Romeo and Pringle, he knew right there and then that this is a special team.
“Romeo and Stanley. They can play. I love them. I think we have some great pieces,” said Mr. Holloway. “We’ve got a bunch of shooters. When you got double teamed you can throw it out.” — Rey Joble
