Global Port needs Lipa's cage smarts

MANILA, Philippines - Joe Lipa, a respected bench tactician now serving as commissioner of the NCAA, is returning to the PBA as consultant of newcomer Global Port Batang Pier.

Lipa will be part of the Global Port coaching staff, led by Glenn Capacio as head coach and Ricky Dandan, Johnedel Cardel, Louie Gonzales and Charles Tiu as assistant coaches.

“Glenn and Ricky admit they’re still learning the ropes. So I asked them who their mentor is. It’s Joe Lipa and I gave Joe to them,” said Global Port team owner Mikee Romero.

“Glenn is a rookie coach in the PBA. He may suffer mental blocks and, in such case, coach Joe Lipa will be there to provide the shocks,” Romero added.

Lipa is returning to the pro league after working as head coach with Manila Beer, Formula Shell and FedEx. The one-time UAAP champion mentor has also served as PBA technical consultant under the late commissioner Jun Bernardino.

Lipa has handled Dandan at University of the Philippines and Capacio with the national team.

The fiery bench chieftain has also worked with Romero before, serving as consultant of the Harbour Centre Philippines Phl team that won the 2007 Nakhon Ratchasima SEA Games.

Lipa was the coach of the Phl team that won the bronze in the 1986 Seoul Asian Games and the Phl quintet that finished a fighting fourth in the 1987 ABC Championship (now FIBA Asia Championship).

Meanwhile, Romero said he would be happy to just see his team play close games, realistic it’s hard to win a championship in the PBA overnight.

“Rain or Shine took six years to have their breakthrough championship. Sta. Lucia took longer. It’s tough but I think we can be a contender in a shorter period,” said Romero, the newest player in the PBA taking over the franchise of Powerade.

Global Port makes its debut right on the opening day of the 38th PBA season, playing Barangay Ginebra before an expected sellout crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I felt privileged the PBA gave us that. Imagine opening game against the crowd darling,” said Romero.

He’s hoping his team jells right away so that they can put a good fight against Ginebra. Chemistry, however, might well pose a problem since the Batang Pier have had a few practices with Gary David and Willie Miller.

It’s an interesting match that pits reigning MVP Mark Caguioa and David, the three-time defending scoring champ.