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NorthPort ready to take on ‘mighty’ San Miguel in QFs, coach Pido Jarencio believes


NorthPort head coach Pido Jarencio is confident that crossing paths again with the San Miguel Beermen in the playoff round is something that his wards are ready and all geared up for, especially given their history.

NorthPort had a runaway 122-94 victory over Alaska in the final game of the elimination round on Thursday, setting up a best-of-three quarterfinal series with the Beermen, whom the Batang Pier fell to in the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup despite securing a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

“Against a mighty San Miguel, we’re prepared and ready. We’re healthy going into the playoffs,” Jarencio said moments after they denied Alaska.

“We’re building a winning culture here in NorthPort and it started with this game. This was the start.”

Jarencio admitted that they learned a hard lesson when they faced San Miguel in the playoff two years ago but stressed his squad has more talent now, a key ingredient in beating a powerhouse team such as the five-peat All-Filipino champion Beermen.

The former UST mentor also put emphasis on the health of his players which he noted helped them a lot on the road to the playoff.

“First of all, we really lacked on materials that time unlike now that, in all positions, we have everything to match [SMB],” Jarencio explained.

“I think the difference is we are more talented now. The composition of the team now is far different. I think it’s more competitive now than the last time that San Miguel beat us despite having twice-to-beat.”

One matchup to look out for also in the NorthPort-San Miguel clash is the face-off between old college rivals Robert Bolick and CJ Perez.

Bolick, a former San Beda standout, registered a triple-double output against the Aces, scoring 22 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and dishing 13 assists as the Batang Pier locked in on the fifth spot in the team standings.

Lyceum product Perez, meanwhile, has also been crucial for SMB, especially during their narrow win over Alaska where his timely assist led to a game-winning triple for Marcio Lassiter.

But Bolick said they do not mind who their opponent is and will just go all out regardless of the team’s background.

“We are not anymore thinking who we will go up against. We just came in and our mentality is to build a winning culture here,” he said.

“We do not choose out opponents and whoever it is, we’re up for it. And as for San Miguel, we know the team’s winning tradition but we won’t back down.”

—JMB, GMA News