Petron Blaze dumps Globalport Batang Pier
MANILA—The return of 6’10” giant Junmar Fajardo from injury added fire to the Petron Blaze Boosters as they routed the Globalport Batang Pier, 110-81, yesterday to keep their hopes alive in the 38th PBA Philippine Cup elimination round at the Araneta Coliseum.
Fajardo’s presence boosted the Blaze Boosters’ defense as they held Batang Pier to only 19 points in the second period to establish a big 58-34 upper hand at the half.
And from there it was a walk in the park for coach Olsen Racela’s squad, which improved their slate to 5-6 for solo seventh from joint ninth place last week.
“That was a combination of a lot of things, we caught Globalport on their worst game of the season. We were expecting a tough close fight with Gary David coming off a 20-point performance in their last game. Kami sinuwerte in the end. Nagkataon when you are on a losing streak, mahirap to get out of the streak dahil feeling mo lahat ng ginagawa mo ay mali. When you get out of it, tumataas naman confidence mo,” said Petron coach Olsen Racela.
Batang Pier, the newest team in the league, dropped to 1-9. Petron also blasted Globalport, 110-98, in their first meeting on Oct. 26.
“When we won against Rain or Shine, it gave us the confidence in this cru- cial stretch. Our defense was good especially in the second quarter. That’s where we’re concentrating on. Individually they’re good players pero as a team we need to improve. Feeling ko yung offense, pag maganda defense mo maganda rin. Our coaching staff knows that we need a defensive team to go far. Sa practice that’s what we told them to do. Junmar Fajardo is a big addition, kasi si Danny Ildefonso, di makakalaro. Junmar just practiced this week, kulang pa sa hangin, yung legs niya hindi pa. Pero iba pag nasa loob siya mayroon kaming intimidating presence at defensively, malaking bagay sa amin,” said Racela.
The closest Batang Pier could get was 16-11 early in the opening period, but a fiery 8-0 blast by Jojo Duncil, Fajardo, Jay Washington and Chris Lutz ended the opening canto with the Blaze Boosters on top by 12 points, 27-15.