Rookies find safe haven

MANILA, Philippines — PBA rookies Sean Manganti and Renzo Subido are a perfect fit with NorthPort as Batang Pier coach Pido Jarencio welcomed them into the fold with open arms.

They’ve found a home from where to build their pro careers.

“Nasa radar namin si Sean for the first round sa draft last year,” said Jarencio. “Kung hindi siya available, option si Mike Ayonayon. Nakuha ng NLEX si Mike kaya swerte kami Sean was still available when we picked. Tamang-tama si Sean for the three-spot, 6-4 or 6-5, mahaba, tumatakbo, may tira sa labas like Kevin (Ferrer) at yung player ko dati si Dylan (Ababou). Biglang lumalim ang rotation sa tres with Kevin at Sean Anthony. Pwede rin mag-kwatro sila. Sabi ko kay Manganti, I won’t change his style. Swak siya sa system. But I told him to do extra work, make 300 or 400 shots a day because it’s all about muscle memory. In the game, find your spot, no need to dribble, catch and shoot.”

In NorthPort’s preseason games, Jarencio started Manganti with Ferrer still nursing a foot injury. The other rookie in Jarencio’s lineup is Subido, a 5-9 point guard from UST. “Akong nag-recruit kay Renzo for UST but never played for me sa UAAP kasi napunta na ako sa PBA,” said Jarencio. “Binilin ko si Renzo sa UST staff at hindi siya pinabayaan. Matapang, buo ang loob. ‘Di na kailangan pagsabihan. Na-develop si Nico (Elorde) at na-sign up si L. A. (Revilla) kaya malalim na kami sa point guard with Robert (Bolick) once makabalik from injury.”

Jarencio said the secret to NorthPort’s resurgence is trust. “Sanay mga players sa sigaw ko, ginigising lang sila,” he laughed. “Practice namin, mga 1 1/2 hours lang but ratratan. I want players fresh for the game, not burned out. Kung minsan players request off sa weekend, pinagbibigyan ko but on Monday, balik sa hard practice. Pakikisama lang.” When the new arrivals like Christian Standhardinger, Jervy Cruz and Ferrer checked in last season, Jarencio said he sat down with each of them, one-on-one. “No. 1 sa akin trust sa isa’t isa,” he said. “I told them we’re happy they’re here, forget their previous teams, this is now their team, their destiny, to give their full commitment to management with no issues and to respect each other.” NorthPort finished the season with a franchise-best 22-20 overall record, winding up seventh in the Philippine Cup, fifth in the Commissioner’s Cup and fourth in the Governors Cup.

An offseason recruit was balik-NorthPort player Kelly Nabong. “Parang tatay ako ni Kelly, nagkakaintindihan kami, even kung salita niya English at ako, Cebuano,” he said. “Respeto lang ang kailangan. Actually, emotional din sina Christian at Sean Anthony. Kaya sila mga leaders ng team, susunod lahat sa kanila. Lahat magpapakamatay sa court. Imagine si Christian, naglaro ng 61 minutes sa triple OT win namin over NLEX, walang kapagod-pagod.”

As for goals this season, Jarencio said even when he coached UST to the UAAP title, shooting for the championship was never a target from the start. “Dapat laban lang, we don’t back down from anyone,” he said. “I keep reminding the guys let’s play as one unit, absorb and embrace the system. We’re now a complete team, this is our time. Our first goal is to make the playoffs then let’s see.”