by Ernest Hernandez
NorthPort Batang Pier finds itself still undefeated in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup following their recent win over the NLEX Road Warriors. Head Coach Pido Jarencio lauded his frontline, Mo Tautuaa and Sean Anthony, who combined for 40 of the team’s 95 points.
Anthony finished with 22 points, nine rebounds and a staggering seven steals. For Jarencio, there is no question on what he brings to the table.
“That is his natural game. Alam naman natin si Sean, talagang laban kung laban iyan,” said Jarencio. “Yan ang player na may pride — may pusong palaban. Iyon ang attitude. Iyon ang consistent sa amin, si Sean.”
By the third quarter of that game, Anthony already scored 19 of his 22 points. Carrying only a one-point lead in the fourth period, Tautuaa stepped up to continue Anthony’s momentum.
Together with rookie Robert Bolick, Tautuaa made key plays to keep NLEX at bay. The NorthPort center finished with a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Northport’s Sean Anthony drives past NLEX’s Kenneth Ighalo (right) and Raul Soyud (MB photo | Rio Leonelle Deluvio)
“Kasi Mo Tautuaa, is Mo Tautuua,” said Jarencio on the 2015 PBA first overall draft pick. “Kailangan meron kaming tao sa ilalim na magdo-dominate, na magco-control ng boards, magco-control sa team sa loob sa opensa namin,” he added.
“Iba ang team na may player sa ilalim. Pagka nasa labas ka na walang mangyayari sa iyo. Which is si Mo naman nag-deliver sa last five minutes of the game.”
Hearing his coaches’ praises, Anthony deflects the credit to his teammates.
“It’s not an individual performance. I think the whole team stepped up today as you saw,” said Anthony.
NorthPort had carried the image that Stanley Pringle was carrying his teammates through his heavy scoring. This time around, Anthony is glad to see other players step up with Pringle doing lesser.
“That’s the big difference for us so far in the first two games. Having a lot of guys step up and get multiple guys in double figures per game,” Anthony said. “Just not being reliant on a few players but everyone stepped up today, that is a big difference.”
Tags: Mo Tautuaa , NLEX Road Warriors , NorthPort Batang Pier , PBA , PBA Philippine Cup , Robert Bolick , Sean Anthony , Stanley Pringle
