Ginebra, Globalport favored vs rookie foes

Greg Slaughter of Ginebra (light) vs Jondan Salvador of GlobalPort (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — Globalport badly needing a shot in the arm, will come into its first game in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations actually listed as the favorite.

With a 1-2 card and their losses coming from collapses in the stretch, the Batang Pier slug it out with newcomer KIA Motors at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday hoping to restore their confidence.

A win would also serve coach Pido Jarencio in good stead after rumors of an impending coaching change surfaced just a game into the season—when the Batang Pier threw away control in the fourth quarter to lose to NLEX.

Globalport bounced back from that defeat and conquered Barako Bull, and its next two games could prove critical as the second would be against another expansion team—Blackwater Elite—later in the week.

The Batang Pier were ahead by as many as 18 points in the third quarter against defending champion Purefoods on Friday before folding up yet again.

Against the Sorento, the Batang Pier have the edge in all positions with the KIA morale at a low following two defeats by an average of 30.5 points.

Stanley Pringle is slowly but surely taking over Globalport along with Alex Cab-agnot.

And if Jarencio can get Terrence Romeo to share the ball a little more, then the Batang Pier could be a potent force.

Romeo scored 33 points against the Road Warriors but was held down to just nine against Barako Bull.

Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra also tries to get back on track when the Gin Kings battle the Elite in the 7 p.m. contest. Ginebra will be coming off the first upset of the tournament.

The Gin Kings bowed to the Road Warriors, 81-97, also on Friday night at the Big Dome in Cubao.

Blackwater is reeling from three losses but has played a lot better compared with KIA.