Sense of Urgency

CONFERENCE of promise is fast turning into another tournament of futility for Global Port.

If the Batang Pier hope to turn things around and avoid going closer to the brink they should make their move now, specifically against Barako Bull Sunday in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Energy are themselves coming off a very bad loss and would like nothing better than a big rebound that will put them at joint second-running spot with idle Meralco.

Despite the odds seemingly stacked in his team’s favor, Barako active consultant Rajko Toroman prefers to take the cautious approach.

“It is a crucial game for us and Global they are a good team with great individual quality,” said Toroman, whose Energy are well-rested and aching to bounce back from an 87-112 loss to Petron Blaze last Tuesday.

“After not good game versus Petron we have to improve a lot of things to win the game,” added the Serbian national.



Global Port has more concerns.

The Batang Pier were eliminated in their first two conferences in the league after being among the league’s worst in terms of defense.

That nightmare has recurred, typified by the average 102 points Global Port gave up in back-to-back losses to Talk N Text and San Mig Coffee. In contrast, the Batang Pier normed only 91.5 points on a measly 37 percent field shooting.

To add to coach Junel Baculi’s woes, second-string slotman Kelly Nabong won’t be able to suit up Friday and against Meralco Wednesday to serve out the suspension he incurred from the league for his involvement in the fracas against San Mig last Wednesday.

All is not bleak for Global Port, however.

Gary David has seemingly regained him the fiery touch that has made him a consistent threat by dropping 27 points against San Mig.

Also, Markeith Cummings should rebound from a personal PBA-low 20 points against the Mixers, Jay Washington remains a consistent double-double threat and Willie Miller and Sol Mercado are up for a breakout game each. (NC)

Source: http://pba.inquirer.net/30229/sense-of-urgency