SOLOMON Mercado has mixed emotions after learning that he is headed to NorthPort Batang Pier earlier this week in a blockbuster trade that would send Stanley Pringle to the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings.
Mercado admitted he was saddened leaving the Kings, which served as his team since 2015 and where he won three PBA championships, but is delighted to be landing on Batang Pier.
Mercado first played Philippine basketball with the Michael Romero-owned franchise when it was still in the defunct Philippine Basketball League carrying Harbor Center name from 2007 to 2008.
It was the 35-year-old Mercado’s third stint with the Batang Pier after also being traded to the squad in two separate occasions at the early part of his 11-year professional basketball career.
“I’ve been in this organization before. This was actually the first organization I was with when I first went to the Philippines,” said Mercado. “It’s kind of nice, it’s a welcome back kind of thing, and those guys are very welcoming.”
Mercado is also looking forward to joining and helping the Batang Pier, which he likens to the Kings especially with the never-say-die attitude they displayed in their 107-105 win over Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Wednesday.
“Down 20, they never gave up and obviously that comes from the head coach,” said Mercado, referring to Batang Pier head coach Alfredo “Pido” Jarencio, who was once a player for the Kings under legendary Robert Jaworski.
“He came from that never-say-die culture, and they (players) kind of followed his lead and it was amazing,” he added. “So I am really looking forward to play for the NorthPort.”
Mercado, along with fellow transferees Kevin Ferrer and Jervy Cruz, will make their debut for the streaking Batang Pier (6-1) when they take on Blackwater Elite (4-2) this afternoon at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
***
Batang Pier forward Sean Anthony was grateful to his teammates as they showed their grit despite being outnumbered in their come-from-behind 107-105 win over the Painters.
Anthony admitted that their morale were down heading into the game after losing Pringle in a trade and the squad decimated to just eight players due to injuries but still showed some fight to overhaul a 25-point deficit.
“I was impressed,” said Anthony. “We’ve been up 20 and we’re losing last conference and last year. And to be down 25? Wow! And a comeback in one quarter, that just shows the spirit and the camaraderie that we’ve gotten,” said Anthony.
He added: “Guys were a little down with some of the stuff that happened. We had Jonathan Grey go down with a really freak injury. We all felt bad for him, and then that Stanley thing happened last night.”
“Guys stepped up huge. Mo (Tautuaa), Rob (Bolick), Prince (Ibeh), everyone. Garvo (Lanete) hit threes. The momentum came in our end once we got our energy and we got back to the pace that we like to play,” he said.
With the Batang Pier currently on top of the standings with 6-1 win-loss slate, Anthony is hopeful that they will now go deep in the playoffs round of the 2019 Honda PBA Commissioner’s Cup./PN
