Jul 10, 2018

Bet on Grey earns Jarencio, GlobalPort new lease on life

Jonathan Grey didn't have second thoughts knocking down the three-point shot that allowed GlobalPort to live another day in the PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals.

"Pag nagmintis panget. Pag shumoot, pogi," said Grey who got the ball from import Malcolm White in front of the GlobalPort bench and quickly pulled up for a 3-point shot that found the net.

That shot completed GlobalPort's comeback from double-figure deficit in the third quarter and propel the Batang Pier to shock 114-113 win that dragged Rain or Shine to a knockout match in their quarterfinal duel.

Grey's 12 points in the fourth, including the game-winner, enabled the No. 8 Batang Pier to erase a 16-point deficit late in the third quarter to deal the Elasto Painters, the league's top team in the eliminations, a stinging setback.

Grey's off-balanced layup at the end of the period pulled GlobalPort within 91-83.Rain or Shine enjoyed an 89-73 advantage until Grey found his rhythm.

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White and Stanley Pringle's timely hits kept GlobalPort in the game and the Batang Pier got a new lease on life as Maverick Ahanmisi missed three consecutive free throws in the closing seconds.

"Sabi niya sa akin bago mag-start, 'Jo, pakitaan mo naman ako. Bigay mo naman sa akin 'to,'" Grey remembered coach Pido Jarencio telling him during the pre-game huddle.

"(Kung) yung coach mo kinakausap ka ng ganun, parang iba na. Magiging confident ka talaga na, maglalaro ka ng maganda. Binibigay niya sayo yung tiwala e. Ibang klase."

Jarencio was glad to see the sophomore wingman respond with the Batang Pier on the brink of elimination.

"Sabi ko nga sa kanya, 'Laruan mo naman ako. Bigyan mo 'ko ng depensa, bigyan mo ko ng score.' 'Sige coach,' sabi niya," Jarencio said.

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"Kaya yung playing time, andun, at the same time nagdeliver. For sure priority na siya sa rotation namin."

GlobalPort will need another big game from Grey on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena when it tries to become the first No. 8 seed since Powerade in the 2012 Philippine Cup to beat a No. 1 squad in the quarters.(JT)