On the offensive

Your team or mine?
(Photo credit to the owner)

How many players does it take to score a basket?

This is going to be Coach Pido Jarencio's biggest challenge as he leads a retooled Global Port Batang Pier squad that does not only feature elite scorer Terrence Romeo and the promising Stanley Pringle, but also veteran assassin-by-trade Joseph Yeo, trigger happy point man Jonathan Uyloan and rookie Roi "I'm not a basketball diva" Sumang. 

Granted, the Batang Pier squad enjoyed some success when they played a three guard unit with Asian import Omar Krayem-- but that was more to Krayem's versatility and efficiency than Coach Pido's Xs and Os. Krayem pretty much covered for Pringle and Romeo, sliding comfortably at the small forward spot.

Yeo? We are not too sure he can play defense like Krayem. We don't think he will have any troubles deferring to the younger guys on offense (having played with Mac Cardona early in his career), but it's on defense where this Romeo-Pringle-Yeo troika might fail. Remember, Batang Pier had Krayem AND Denok Miranda last conference to "save" Romeo and Pringle.

Speaking of the Batang Pier's offense, this team should be able to recover whatever they give up on defense. Pringle has no qualms about passing to Romeo, and Yeo's at that stage wherein he just wants to win and make a living rather than play alpha dog. Uyloan, Paolo Taha and Sumang should also give this team a boost when the starters sit (which was a concern last season).

As for the front line, they still have Anthony Semerad who is a small forward by trade but has the size and strength of a four man. Jay Washington should also go back to his double-double ways, since he has already played with Romeo and probably knows where to pick his spots. Doug Kramer, Billy Mamaril and Dorian Pena are basically the kind of rebounsing, screen-setting selfless bigs any coach would want to protect this collection of high scoring guards.

Overall, consider the Batang Pier as this coming Philippine Cup's true dark horses given the young firepower they have complemented by their blue collar frontline.

Still, one has to wonder if Pringle and Romeo will stick around to finish the season or be "harvested" by one of the big teams.

What?

You still think that Global Port isn't a farm team?

Who did they get for Jervy Cruz, former UAAP MVP and trusted Pido Jarencio stalwart, again?