Romero: Globalport searching for character

MANILA, Philippines - After an encouraging 2-1 start, Globalport has lost six in a row in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup but team owner Mikee Romero said yesterday he’s optimistic that once the Batang Pier discovers its character, winning will come naturally.

It’s been a rocky ride for Globalport so far this conference with original import Justin Williams sacked after seven games and replacement Walter Sharpe scuttled for unbecoming conduct off the court. Sharpe lasted only two games and left town yesterday. New import Sylvester Morgan is arriving from France tonight. Globalport will try to arrest its skid against Air 21 with Morgan in harness at the Smart Araneta Coliseum this Saturday.

Rebounding from the bottom is nothing new to Romero whose patience and perseverance brought seven PBL titles to Harbour Centre after a shaky start in 2004. “I remember having the same problems in the PBL in my first two conferences but once we found our image and character, it was a different story all together,” said Romero. Harbour Centre was virtually unbeatable in capturing seven PBL crowns in 2006-09. It’s the challenge that motivates Romero to transform a cellar-dweller into a championship team. In Globalport’s PBA debut in the recent Philippine Cup, the Batang Pier finished last with a 1-13 record.

“Globalport is still finding itself in the PBA,” said Romero. “It will be a long process. The nine other PBA teams are established teams while Globalport is in its infancy, barely two conferences old. (Team manager) B. J. Manalo likened our team to an old house that we just bought and is currently being renovated. After changing the floors, roof and covering with paint, another problem comes out and needs fixing. This is our state right now as the old house has to be totally renovated.”

Romero said he isn’t giving up despite the baptism of fire. “I won’t stop until we’ve found our team’s character after which winning will come naturally,” he said. Romero remarked that it will take time for Globalport to become a contender but maybe, it won’t take too long. It’s the same attitude he’s taking with regard to his proposal to establish a Department of Sports, a call he made in his speech during the recent Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night. “The campaign for a Department of Sports might take several years but I’ll stand behind it all throughout,” he said. “I know that some officials were not happy with it but I just have to say what’s really in my heart and what I sincerely think would restructure and reformat Philippine sports. Sports is my life and I try to make the game as pure as possible.”

Romero confirmed that Sharpe’s services were terminated last Tuesday. Sharpe was videoed appearing to be dead drunk, asleep in a Pasig parking lot early morning after a forgettable showing in Globalport’s 93-85 loss to Alaska the night before. Sharpe fouled out with only two points and five rebounds in 20 minutes. In his first appearance with Globalport, he compiled 24 points, nine rebounds and two assists as the Batang Pier lost a 106-94 decision to Air 21 last March 10.

Manalo declined to comment on Globalport’s import issues but the team’s representative to the PBA Board of Governors Erick Arejola said the Batang Pier is moving forward with Morgan. “We are still hoping to advance to the next round,” said Arejola. “Hopefully, Morgan can help us.” Two teams will be struck out after the double-round inter-intra eliminations.

Morgan, 30, averaged 14.6 points, 10.4 rebounds and 5.0 blocked shots with the Atlanta Metro Community College in 2002-03 then transferred to George State under coach Michael Perry the next season. He played sparingly in his first year at Georgia State, averaging 1.7 points and 1.8 rebounds, as a junior but improved his stats dramatically as a senior in 2004-05. Morgan ranked No. 13 in blocked shots in the NCAA in his final season at Georgia State.

The 6-9, 240-pound southpaw is known for his incredible 89-inch wingspan and quickness, once registering a 5:18 mile run in college. Scouts describe his style as reminiscent of Amar’e Stoudemire, Andrei Kirilenko and Kevin Garnett. Eurobasket said, “(Morgan) will knock down the mid-range shot  if left open and operates effectively in the low post, rebounds and defends exceptionally well, runs the floor extremely well, (is) relentless, tireless, aggressive and passionate ... very coachable, consummate team player that possesses a tremendous amount of mental toughness.”

Morgan never made it to the NBA unlike Sharpe who played eight games for the Detroit Pistons in 2008-09, earning a salary of P442,114 but was a highly marketable import in several countries including Germany, Dominican Republic, Cyprus, France, South Korea, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, Ukraine and Lithuania.

Globalport has suited up 18 players in the Commissioner’s Cup as coach Junel Baculi continues to find combinations that click. Gary David, Sol Mercado, Japeth Aguilar and Willie Miller are Baculi’s key locals but he’s looking for more production from shock troopers like Mark Yee, Jondan Salvador, Yousif Aljamal, A. J. Mandani, Will Antonio, Reed Juntilla, Romel Adducul, Jaypee Belencion, Alex Crisano, Jason Deutchman, Rudy Lingganay and Kelly Nabong.