PBL: Harbour’s sixth title win tough but sweet

MANILA, Philippines – Observers thought Harbour Centre was now beatable and its bid of winning a sixth straight title in peril after losing its entire starting unit to the pro league and having 10 rookies in its roster. That was before the opening of the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) PG Flex Linoleum Cup. But on February 10 the Batang Pier remained at the winner’s podium giving owner Mikee Romero a record sixth straight title. Who could have thought a team that lost starters Gabe Norwood, Jason Castro, Sol Mercado, Beau Belga and TY Tang, the sweet-shooting duo of Jeff Chan and Jonathan Fernandez, and big men Rob Reyes and Chad Alonzo could still pull it through and beat a balanced Magnolia Purewater squad in a best-of-five title series. “It is so hard to finish with 10 rookies. The boys deserve everything. We held as one despite the obstacles we encountered," said Romero. Tasked to lead Harbour’s PBL campaign are holdovers Edwin Asoro, Boyet Bautista, Jerwin Gaco, Reed Juntilla and Rico Maierhofer. Romero and Batang Pier coach Jorge Gallent, however, found a solution and brought in the core of the Far Eastern University Tamaraws. Tapped in that FEU squad are do-it-all guard Mark Barroca, outside gunner Benedict Fernandez, Aldrech Ramos, Reil Cervantes and former UAAP Rookie of the Year JR Cawaling. The veterans blended well with the rookies resulting to Harbour taking the top spot with a league-best 9-3 record and an outright semifinals berth where they swept Hapee Toothpaste to earn the first finals spot. The Batang Pier completed its title conquest with an 88-73 Game Four win over Magnolia that gave them a 3-1 edge in their championship showdown. “This is perhaps one of the most difficult championships we have, so I have to salute the coaching staff and the players for working so hard to win the championship," Romero added. “It is really God’s will to (have the) six-peat. It is impossible, this is for the record books," said Romero. This is one magical moment for Harbour Centre, being No. 1 for three years is an amazing feeling." Romero said the Batang Pier’s sixth straight title is a tribute to the Crispa Redmanizers, one of the most celebrated basketball franchises in the country who also achieved the same feat. – GMANews.TV