Team owner confirms Jarencio is GlobalPort’s new head coach

After weeks of speculation, GlobalPort Batang Pier now has a new coach. Pido Jarencio, the former PBA player, will return to the professional ranks as a head coach this time in the upcoming 2014 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The news was confirmed by no less than Mikee Romero, the owner of GlobalPort Batang Pier.

“We signed the contract and he also handed his resignation papers today to UST,” said Romero in a phone call with Yahoo Sports Philippines.

GlobalPort had a major revamp heading into the 2014 PBA season. They acquired for Best Player of the Conference Jay Washington in the last season and retooled by getting four big-name players in the 2013 PBA Draft.

However, they were eliminated by Rain or Shine in the quarterfinals of the 2014 PLDT myDSL Philippine Cup. Batang Pier finished the eliminations tied with four other teams in the sixth to ninth spots with a 5-9 win-loss record.

Due to their superior quotient, GlobalPort escaped having to battle for the last slot in the playoffs but they faced the Elastopainters who held a twice-to-beat advantage. Batang Pier bowed out as they were without Washington in the quarterfinals.

Wanting change, Romero decided to drop interim head coach Richie Ticzon in favor of Jarencio.

“I think he can accomplish the long term goals that I have set for the team. I really like his identity as a coach and I want that to be the identity of the team. He will handle the rebuilding of our franchise,” said Romero.

Regarding the rumors on player movement, Romero said that no trades will be done without Jarencio’s blessing.

“I’m giving Pido the free hand in terms of the players and his assistant coaches,” the owner added. “He will evaluate everything and he will be bringing some of his own people but he will conduct an interview to hire other assistant coaches. No movement until Pido evaluates everything two weeks.”

Jarencio was also rumored to be headed to the PBA with Barako Bull but the squad ultimately decided to hire former Smart-Gilas head coach Rajko Toroman. The sweet-shooting coach will end his stint with the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers. During his rookie year as head coach in the UAAP, he led the Espana-based squad to a UAAP title against the Norman Black coached Ateneo Blue Eagles. He had two more shots at a UAAP title but his Tigers lost to Ateneo two in 2012 and to De La Salle last season.

“I think Pido's already ripe for the PBA,” Romero said. The owner however did not want to put pressure on the incoming rookie coach.

“We’ll take baby steps in the Commisioner’s Cup. I don’t want to set a target for this conference. I want Pido to have no pressure at this point,” Romero said. “First I’d like to see better chemistry in the team. We saw glimpses of good chemistry specially on the wins but when we lose, our players try to do it on their own. Win or lose, I want to see the team’s chemistry. I also want to see character in the team. I’ve watched too many games that we could have won but we cracked down the stretch. Si Pido sikat yan kasi may puso at palaban. I definitely think he can help us be better to in closing out games.”

With four rookies in the lineup, Romero hopes that Jarencio could help in bringing along the newbies. “We’re hoping that our rookies mature faster and hiring an experienced coach is our solution to that,” the owner said. “Also, Pido knows how to coach these kids because he has experience in the UAAP but he also knows how to coach in the PBA because he played in the league for so long.”