Riding the wave

(FILE) PHOTO BY TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.net

Nico Elorde’s career performance against TNT KaTropa guard Jayson Castro and Jeric Teng’s return to the PBA weren’t the only feel-good stories for GlobalPort on Wednesday night.

GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio feels his team is playing their best basketball at a critical time in the Philippine Cup, where the playoff race is headed for a down-the-wire finish.

The Batang Pier try to sustain their momentum when they clash with second-ranked Magnolia on Friday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We have to continue playing the way we did (against TNT) and not worry about other results,” Jarencio said. “We have to stay aggressive. The players want to make the playoffs and I feel this is our best chance.”

Blackwater faces Kia in the curtain raiser at 4:30 p.m. with the Elite gunning for a share of the ninth spot with the Texters. With just two games separating the fourth to 10th ranked teams, Blackwater, with a 3-5 record, is hard-pressed to win its remaining three games to stand a chance of making the quarterfinals.

The Picanto, with only one win to show from their first eight games, will kiss their quarterfinal hopes goodbye with another loss.

Magnolia is coming off a 101-95 loss to Rain or Shine in a road game in Calasiao, Pangasinan province, last Saturday. The Hotshots are looking to avoid a third straight loss, even as top gunner Paul Lee remains doubtful due to a high ankle sprain.

In contrast, GlobalPort whipped up an early storm to extend TNT’s woes with a 99-84 win and climb up to seventh in the standings with a 4-4 slate.

Elorde sparkled with 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while being matched up with Castro in the game.

“I’m just glad to repay the trust coach has shown to me,” Elorde said. “More importantly, we need to stay consistent if we want to make the playoffs.”

Signed by GlobalPort just a day before the game, Teng made the most out of his 10-minute stint on the floor with nine points on three triples as he reunited with Jarencio, who coached him at the University of Santo Tomas.

Meanwhile, the league approved on Thursday the revised trade involving Rain or Shine and TNT, which sent guard Kris Rosales, rookie Sidney Onwubere and a first-round pick in exchange for guard Jericho Cruz.

The Texters added Rosales to the deal, paving the way for the approval of the swap by commissioner Willie Marcial.