Baculi to find ways to make new backcourt trio happy

MANILA, Philippines – After locking up its new backcourt tandem of college teammates Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia to lucrative three-year deals, GlobalPort’s next step is to mesh them with its spitfire guard Sol Mercado.

GlobalPort coach Junel Baculi has committed to give both rookie guards major minutes.  

“Yes, definitely they’ll crack the rotation,” Baculi told Philstar.com referring to both Romeo and Garcia.

“They’ve proven their worth. Konting break-in lang sa pro basketball, sa type of game. I think they can manage,” Baculi added.  

Baculi is looking at Mercado to mentor both rookie guards. But all the three guards need the ball to make an impact.

“We’ll find a way, we’ll look for a solution,” said Baculi on how will his new backcourt trio share the ball.

It was also the same predicament that Baculi faced in GlobalPort’s rookie season with Gary David, Willie Miller and Mercado.

Both David (Meralco) and Miller (Barako Bull) were shipped to accommodate the former FEU backcourt tandem.

Mercado showed last season that he has already matured leading the league in assists with 6.9 per game.

Garcia, for his part, also sees no problem playing alongside two great scoring guards.

“Alam naman nating parehong magaling na scorer si Sol at Terrence. Basta kung mainit sila papasahan ko sila ng papasahan,” Garcia told Philstar.com after he was picked sixth overall last Sunday.

Mercado wound up as fourth in scoring last season with 16.2 points per game behind his former teammate Gary David (18.8 ppg), Brgy. Ginebra’s Mark Caguioa (17.2 ppg) and Air21’s Nino Canaleta (16.7 ppg).

Romeo, meanwhile, led the UAAP this season with 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists on his way to winning the MVP.

“Magfo-focus ako sa pagiging point guard,” said Garcia, who was named the UAAP MVP three seasons ago.