Pido Jarencio's Three P's set to change GlobalPort's fortunes
GlobalPort owner Mikee Romero wants a hard-fighting unit and newly-installed head coach Pido Jarencio intends to inject a proven mantra that could help the Batang Pier contend better against the pro league’s heavyweights: Three P’s–Puso, Pride, Palaban.
“‘Yun ang gusto talagang mangyari ni Boss Mikee, maging palaban ang team niya,” shared Jarencio, 49, in a phone interview Tuesday, a day after he was formally named as the full-time head coach of GlobalPort in lieu of interim mentor Ritchie Ticzon.
“Hindi naman tayo nangangako kung saan agad mapupunta ang team. Darating din naman tayo du’n (championship). Peo mas mapapadali tayong makakarating du’n kapag lumalaban talaga ang team. Diyan na ngayon natin ipapasok ‘yung three P’s,” he pointed out, referring to the mindset he implemented on University of Santo Tomas men’s cage team for eight fruitful seasons in the UAAP.
ALSO READ: Owner Mikee Romero confirms: Jarencio is GlobalPort's new head coach
Considered by many as one of the most colorful figures in the collegiate ranks where he compiled a 66-62 win-loss tally with the Growling Tigers, Jarencio formally bade farewell to the UST camp over the weekend and, in the process, agreed to a five-conference, two-year contract with the Batang Pier, led by Romero.
Jarencio's stint was highlighted by three finals appearances including an improbable title run in his rookie season as a coach in 2006.
Now that he has gotten what he considers as “the biggest break” on his coaching career, Jarencio is ready to hit the ground running. Jarencio is confident that he can turn the fortune around of GlobalPort, which made it to the quarterfinal round of the on-going PLDT-myDSL PBA Philippine Cup but has yet to reach the semifinal stage since joining the pro league in 2012.
“This is a fresh start for the team. Kumbaga, ito na ‘yung bagong mukha ng Batang Pier. Nabigyan tayo ng pagkakataon nina Boss Mikee Romero at Boss Erick Arejola (head of basketball operations) kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa trust and confidence nila,” he said.
Fondly called as “The Fireman” for his clutch shooting during his heyday in the pro ranks, Jarencio also disclosed he is set to meet GlobalPort team manager BJ Manalo Wednesday afternoon to discuss the immediate plans for the Batang Pier as they gear up for the import-flavored Commissioners Cup that gets going on March 7.
ALSO READ: Luigi Trillo tells Calvin Abueva to behave
Foremost among those plans is Jarencio’s bid to bring in assistant coaches Senen Duenas and Alvin Grey, who both joined him at the sidelines with the Tigers. “House cleaning muna tayo starting with the coaching staff,” he said.
If given a chance, Jarencio would also like to have former UST guard and current Barako Bull rookie Jeric Fortuna on his fold. “Kung ibibigay ba naman sa’tin si Fort, why not? Pero tignan na lang natin kung magma-materialize,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jarencio also shared he has recommended assistant coach Estong Ballesteros to take over the coaching mantle at UST, which came up short for the UAAP crowns in the last two years, including a heart-breaking final series with La Salle that went the full three-game route last October.
“Si Estong talaga ang ni-recommend ko kasi kabisado naman na niya ‘yung sistema at mga players,” he said. “Pero ‘yung final decision, nasa mga kaparian na ‘yan.”
