Elite enter new era
We’re satisfied with whom we got. But at the end of the day, it still depends on how we will perform
Blackwater ushered in a new era when it tapped Rey Suerte and Maurice Shaw in the Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft Sunday at the Robinsons Place Ermita.
Newly appointed head coach Nash Racela said they were so happy with their choices as they have the ability to serve as the faces of their franchise following the departure of Ray Parks to TNT KaTropa.
The Elite’s campaign this season didn’t go according to plan.
Shortly after tabbing Parks as the second overall pick of the previous draft, the prolific playmaker opted to sit out the entire Philippine Cup to honor his commitment with Alab Pilipinas in the Asean Basketball League.
Then, he averaged 22.3 points and 7.5 rebounds to power the Elite to a 7-4 record before falling prey to Rain or Shine in the best-of-three quarterfinal series of the Commissioner’s Cup.
Blackwater failed to sustain its momentum as it dwelled the cellar with a 2-9 record in the eliminations before bombing out in the Governors’ Cup under new coach Aries Dimaunahan.
But with Parks now with the KaTropa and the Elite tapping Racela, sideliners believe that they can finally come up with a serious run.
“We’re satisfied with whom we got. But at the end of the day, it still depends on how we will perform, said Racela, who compared Suerte to his former player in Far Eastern University in RR Pogoy.
“I think he’s in the mold of Pogoy. He is a defender who could be a go-to-guy offensively. We see a lot of good things on Rey that’s why we picked him.”
Racela said picking up the 34-year-old Shaw is a high risk, high reward move.
“Hopefully, picking Maurice Shaw in the first round would be a good gamble for us,” he said.