PBA

NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio laments Garvo Lanete's retirement: 'Malaking kawalan siya sa team'

NorthPort head coach Pido Jarencio lamented the absence of Garvo Lanete, who recently called it a career after years of competitive basketball, and believes it will surely be felt as the Batang Pier continue their campaign in PBA.

Jarencio, whose squad is currently at 0-4 in the ongoing 2021 Governors' Cup, stressed Lanete had been a key cog in the team's runs for the past two years.

"Naalala ko, meron mga games dati na halos wala na kaming players dahil sa injuries and all, and siya [Lanete] talaga 'yung pumukpok. Siya 'yung nagbubuhat sa amin," Jarencio recalled in an interview with GMA News Online.

"Kaya malaking kawalan siya sa team."

[I remember there were games before where almost all of our players were injured and Garvo really stepped up. He lifted us up. That's why he's really a big loss in the team.]

Lanete had been playing in the PBA since getting drafted sixth overall by the NLEX Road Warriors in 2015. Overall, the former San Beda standout played for six seasons in the league, including stints with Meralco and NorthPort.

Lanete, 32, averaged 5.4 points and 1.0 rebound in the previous 2021 Philippine Cup, which saw the Batang Pier cruised to the quarterfinal round against the San Miguel Beermen.

They weren't able to move to the semifinal after getting swept by SMB in two games.

Lanete did not see action in the ongoing conference.

"Isa talaga siya sa nagcocontribute sa team. Malaking tulong siya kaya nakakalungkot talaga," Jarencio added.

[He's one of the main contributors in the team. He was a big help and that's why it's saddening to see him retire.]

Lanete, Jarencio added, is set to move to the United States with his family as he now charts a new path in his life.

—JMB, GMA News