GlobalPort’s new recruits Sean Anthony and Bradwyn Guinto didn’t have much problem finding their groove in their first game with the Batang Pier.
Anthony and Guinto, who were acquired by the Batang Pier from NLEX as part of a four-team blockbuster trade recently, provided toughness and additional inside presence that allowed the Batang Pier to upset the Meralco Bolts on Wednesday night.
Anthony scored 18 points and eight boards while Guinto had eight markers and seven rebounds.
For Anthony, the win was a sigh of relief as he finally snapped a 13-game losing skid when he was with NLEX dating back last conference.
“I don’t think it has ever happened in my life, but I’ve learned a lot from Coach Yeng (Guiao). He’s a great coach. A lot of stuff is gonna stick with me. NLEX is a great learning situation for me. When you go through tough times like that you can learn a lot from it,” said Anthony who wasn’t shocked about being traded.
“I wasn’t too surprised. When you lose 12 or 13 straight, I knew they’re going to make some movements. It was a mutually beneficial trade,” he added.
Unlike Anthony, Guinto said he didn’t expect being traded.
“At first I was surprised by the trade pero ganun talaga ang buhay,” Guinto said.
GlobalPort head coach Franz Pumaren raved about his new acquisitions especially Anthony, his former player in the now-defunct Air 21 squad.
“As early as the start of the season, these players are already part of my wish list. JR (Quinahan) and Tony (Semerad) are good players, but what we need are the kind of players like Sean, Bradwyn and Jonathan (Grey),” Pumaren said in the post-game interview.
“They can easily adjust, especially Sean. I just told him just continue what he has been doing when he was playing with me during Air 21 days and he responded well. The intangibles are the things he can contribute.”
