COACH Pido Jarencio believes his NorthPort squad can make the necessary adjustments and rebound from a sorry loss.
“Siyempre, mangangapa pa tayo. It takes time. Iyang chemistry. . . hindi naman lahat iyan magic,” said Jarencio yesterday. “Darating din iyan, sana sooner than later.”
The Batang Pier should get their acts quickly together for they are ranged against a very formidable NLEX crew gunning for a second straight win today in the PBA Governors Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Alaska tries to at least keep in step with the Road Warriors in the nightcap when the Aces duel a San Miguel Beer side eager to do its own rebound from an opening day loss.
“We know they’re going to be big and motivated,” said Alaska coach Jeff Cariaso shortly after his team held off NorthPort 87-85 last Wednesday.
The Beermen are sure to have an extra push in them after absorbing a 102-114 beating from NLEX.
Brandon Brown scored a gamehigh 36 points but only nine in the second half after he was hobbled a bit by a third quarter sprain.
In contrast, six Road Warriors scored in double figures, led by KJ McDaniels’ 27 points on top of 11 rebounds and six assists.
NLEX also issued 29 assists on 43 made field goals while committing only 11 turnovers, more than enough to please coach Yeng Guiao.
“We want our scoring to be spread out, we want the ball to move, we want everybody getting involved,” said Guiao. “That’s how we like it.”
McDaniels also laid bare his intention after his shaky first quarter against SMB that saw him go 1-of-8 from the field. “I plan on being much better,” he said.
NorthPort has a lot more adjustments to make after being complete for only the first time against Alaska.
“Actually, first game naming magkakasama. Pati tuneup hindi kami kumpleto. Ngayon lang nag-limahan iyan kaya nagkakapaan pa,” related Jarencio. “Sabi ko, adjust-adjust na lang.
P’wede pa sanang manalo kaya lang medyo kulang, nabitin.”
One who needs to make the right modification within the NorthPort camp is import Cameron Forte. The Arizona-born, naturalized Jordanian wound up with 18 points and 15 rebounds but was taken out with still 6:34 left in the game and was never fielded back.
“Hindi siya nag-ko-complement sa ibang players, eh,” was how Jarencio explained his decision. “Kinausap ko kanina. Sinabi ko sa kanya: ‘You have to be an import. You have to be a game-changer.’ Pina-realize ko lang sa kanya. ‘You’re here for a purpose.’ Naintindihan naman niya.”
