MANILA, Philippines - Sol Mercado never doubted the capabilities of Globalport though the team wasn’t even given a second look after a busy off-season for the Batang Pier that had the team undergoing a coaching change one week before the start of the new PBA season.
For even after a faltering 1-3 start, made worse by the franchise’s back-to-back defeats to Barangay Ginebra and three-time Philippine Cup champion Talk ‘N Text, Mercado took charge by steering the franchise back to life to with his big, fighting heart.
Mercado underscored his determination when he fired a personal conference-best 33 points to lead Globalport to a pulsating 93-89 win over Meralco.
Two days later, the Biola University product led Globalport’s second half blitzkrieg to ambush title contender Rain or Shine, 90-88, en route to the franchise’s first-ever back-to-back wins.
For his efforts, Mercado clearly came out as the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period of Dec. 2-8, beating Globalport teammate Jay Washington, Petron Blaze’s June Mar Fajardo and Barangay Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar.
“I know you guys didn’t believe. Nobody really thought where we’ll be at right now. New coach in one week (before the start of the tournament), six rookies, eight new guys. Who would have thought we’d be 3-3?†said the 29-year-old Globalport playmaker.