WITH their fingers hovering just above the panic button, GlobalPort and NLEX clash today in a veritable battle for survival Wednesday in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Both the Batang Pier and Road Warriors are still looking for that elusive breakthrough win which would also fan their hopes of making it among the top eight teams advancing to the playoffs.
Another loss could have dire consequences, as the combatants well know.
"Must win for us to stay in the hunt for the playoffs," was how GlobalPort coach Franz Pumaren summed it up for him and NLEX counterpart Yeng Guiao.
Which team would translate its recent heartbreak into a more polished game should have the edge.
Sponsored content: Despite new import Malcolm White making an immediate impact in his debut and Terrence Romeo's groove seemingly back GlobalPort dropped a 113-118 decision to Blackwater last Saturday.
White, who replaced Sean Williams, registered 33 points, 17 boards, two assists, two steals, and two blocks in 36 minutes despite the ill effects of jetlag creeping in on him in the second half.
Romeo, who missed the Batang Pier's first game due to flu and went into the game averaging just 13.5 points 27.5 percent shooting, wound up with 35 points on a very efficient 13-for-18 clip anchored on a career-high 9-for-14 three-point shooting.
Yet, according to White, GlobalPort's failure to make stops did it in as evidenced by Blackwater scoring at least 30 points in three quarters, including the final canto where the Elite outscored the Batang Pier 30-18.
“We got to be better defensively. We have to create an identity on defense,” said White, who flew in just a day before the game but could not prevent GlobalPort from sliding to 0-4.
Sponsored content: “I don’t think we have a problem scoring. We just got to be better defensively. And we got to talk,” added White. “We need to take better shots. That’s easy to achieve, but the main thing is we had to be better defensively.”
Playing D also seems to be the problem of NLEX, as showcased in its last two games that heightened its 0-5 start to the mid-season tourney.
After giving up a buzzer-beating jumper to Star's Jio Jalalon that resulted in a 103-105 loss the Road Warriors practically allowed TNT KaTropa to stage an epic comeback from 29 points down in the third quarter and steal a 126-121 victory last Friday.
Wayne Chism has been acting out the yeoman's role for NLEX with his averages of 28.2 points and 19.8 rebounds, but must get the needed help from the likes of Carlo Lastimosa, Kevin Alas and others if they hope to offset not only White and Romeo, but also Stanley Pringle, Mike Cortez and JR Quinahan.
