Blackwater relishes strong start
If Blackwater’s 3-0 start in the PBA Philippine Cup is a portent of things to come, Bossing team owner Dioceldo Sy said yesterday he’s enjoying the habit of winning. Only twice in 21 previous conferences has Blackwater gone over .500, posting identical 7-4 records in the 2017-18 Governors Cup and 2019 Commissioner’s Cup. The team has never made it to the semifinals.
Sy has waited patiently for the turnaround and this could be it. Blackwater has brought down Meralco, 96-93, TNT, 87-76 and Converge, 90-78 with coach Jeff Cariaso looking to notch win No. 4 over NLEX at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday.
Before the conference, Cariaso undertook a major shakeup, trading away Baser Amer, Yousef Taha and Ato Ular, releasing Rashawn McCarthy and Gab Banal and bringing in Rey Nambatac, Jaydee Tungcab, Justin Chua and James Yap. This season, he enlisted rookies Archie Concepcion, James Kwekuteye, Cliff Jopia and Christian David. Jvee Casio is on the injured/reserve list but has resumed practice.
“We all know there are still eight tough games to go,” said Cariaso. “But we’re happy with the start. What went well the first three games is our willingness to execute the defensive game plan we prepared. The team is starting to trust each other more and be there for each other when needed. No doubt, the change in lineup is a big part of it. Rey, James and the rookies have really given us a spark in their roles. Against TNT, Jaydee came in and was solid for us against his former team.”
Cariaso said while there is reason to be optimistic, the challenge is to continue improving and getting better. “Lots of work ahead of us,” he said. “We know it’s only going to get tougher as the conference goes on.”
What’s evident in Blackwater’s early surge is Cariaso’s deep rotation. Players are earning their minutes and Cariaso is giving everyone the opportunity to deliver. RK Ilagan went scoreless against Meralco but took Best Player of the Game honors with 15 points, seven rebounds and eight assists against TNT. Troy Rosario remains the team’s backbone and his intensity on both ends fuels Blackwater’s charge. Rey Suerte, Brad Guinto, Richard Escoto, Mike DiGregorio, James Sena and Tyrus Hill are among the holdovers producing quality minutes. Now, Blackwater is out to prove its strong start is no fluke.