Globalport owner Romero quash ‘rumors,’ says Jarencio ‘still our coach’

Pido Jarencio FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Amid reports of an apparent coaching change, Globalport owner Mikee Romero assured Pido Jarencio of his job as head coach of Batang Pier Sunday.

Romero quashed news of a major change coming his team’s way but he did say that Jarencio is being evaluated on a “game-to-game” basis.

“There’s no decision yet. So far, we won the game and the change of [coach], it’s just rumors,” said Romero after Globalport won at the expense of Barako Bull, 91-81. “After our loss to NLEX, our coaches got an earful from the management.”

“But right now, coach Pido is still our coach and he will remain,” Romero said before adding, “of course coaches in the PBA, they are evaluated based on their performance.”

Jarencio was appointed as coach before the start of the Commissioner’s Cup last season and steered the Batang Pier to a woeful 2-16 record.

This year, much is expected from Globalport after it landed crack Fil-American guard Stanley Pringle as the top overall pick in the draft to play alongside veteran guard Alex Cabagnot. But still, Globalport’s season didn’t start the way the team would’ve wanted with a loss to NLEX despite taking a big lead late.

The loss had Jarencio, who owned up for his team’s loss, taking flak and the name Franz Pumaren surfaced to replace him. But the win that followed may have saved his job and the murmurs were silenced. At least for now.

The timing isn’t right yet to undergo such change as far as Romero is concerned.

“It’s still very early at this point to change a coach. We’re just two games so it’s very very early,” Romero, who built a dynasty in Harbour Centre in the defunct PBL. “To be fair to coach Pido, we’re giving him more chances.”

Jarencio also dismissed the “rumors” and said he didn’t let it affect him.

“The management just told me to coach and win the game and not think of anything else,” Jarencio said in Filipino. “I’m used to pressure. There’s always pressure. I just want to see to it that I get to do what I’m supposed to.”

Cabagnot, the team’s captain, said they, the players weren’t affected by the news too.

“Those are just rumors and we can’t really pay attention to them,” Cabagnot said after leading the team in scoring with 21 points. “We wanted to win last game. We were just as fired up as last game and it came down to the point where we just lost. This game, we were in the same position and we won.”

“No, we weren’t bothered by it. We don’t listen to negative things we hear outside,” Romeo said in Filipino. “Our team is like family and we’re happy with that and how things are going with coach Pido.”

RELATED STORIES

Pringle shines anew as Globalport beats Barako Bull

Asi Taulava lifts NLEX over Globalport