PIDO Jarencio saw something in Cameron Forte, prompting the NorthPort coach to choose the latter as the Batang Pier’s import for the PBA Governors Cup.
In an interview with Malaya-Business Insight, Jarencio admitted there were several factors involved in his decision, one of the main considerations being that Forte can plug NorthPort’s problems stemming from the frontcourt.
“Four-spot talaga ang laro niya so hindi na kami maglalagay doon ng mga players na hindi naman talaga power forward ang laro,” explained Jarencio.
“So ‘yung mga Kevin Ferrer, mga (Jamie) Malonzo, can play their natural 3-spot and meron na rin kaming makakasangga ni Greg (Slaughter) sa loob,” added Jarencio.
“Kasi iyung (Troy) Rike medyo hilaw pa, bata pa pero improving. Pero ngayon kung magka-problema kay Greg, kung ma-foul trouble siya, meron akong isang pambanggang malaki pa, ‘yung import. Kung mag-foul trouble ‘yung import, walang problema, may Greg pa ako.”
There is another reason why Jarencio opted for Forte instead of Michael Qualls, a prolific scorer who came in as a replacement and powered the Batang Pier to the semifinals of the same tournament’s last edition in 2019.
“Sa akin, kahit kaya niyang magdala ng bola, he’s primarily an inside player… so hindi siya makikipag-agawan ng shoot sa mga players namin playing the 1, 2, 3 spots,” said Jarencio.
“Kung kukuha pa ako ng import na ganoon din ang laro, baka mawalan ng kompiyansa mga locals ko. Kaya mas pinili ko iyon.”
Jarencio also took some cue from the Jordanian national team, which tapped Forte to be its naturalized player for international competitions.
“Sa dami ng players, bakit siya kinuhang naturalized ng Jordan? Ibig sabihin may something special sa kanya, di ba?” posed Jarencio.
Jarencio watched clips of Forte in action while with the Formosa Dreamers in the ABL and with the London Lightning in the National Basketball League (NBL) of Canada.
“May nag-rekomenda din siya kanya, pero hinanap ko full-game videos niya,” related Jarencio. “Meron akong mga nakita. Playing the 3-spot, may playing 1 to 3 ang laro.
Parang robot ang katawan, ang lakas ng katawan. Kahit may pressure sa guard makakapagdala ng bola.”
There’s more.
“Kahit na gusto niyang i-involve teammates niya, he’s a take charge guy also. Puwede mong hanapin, pwede mong puntahan,” said Jarencio. “At kahit wala siyang outside shooting, nakakapag-average pa rin siya ng 29 points sa ABL at double-double sa Canada.”
