Collegiate stars to boost Blackwater D-League bid

MANILA, Philippines - Boosted by the acquisition of several UAAP and NCAA standouts, Blackwater Elite coach Leo Isaac believes his team now has what it takes to be a title contender in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup which unfolds tomorrow.

“I think we’re much stronger now than during the previous tournament because we have a new bunch of talented players from the UAAP,” said Isaac.

“Still, we have to work hard to achieve our goal in this tournament.”

Making up the team’s backcourt are La Salle’s Samuel Joseph Marata and Alvin Joseph Villanueva while UST stars Jeric Fortuna, Clark Bautista and Chris Camus, and Carmelo Afuang are expected to provide firepower to the team owned by former PBL chairman Dioceldo Sy.

Far Eastern University Mark Anthony Bringas, College of St. Benilde’ Jan Irvin Tan, Neil Pascual and Fil-Am AJ Manalo are the other newcomers in the team out to improve its quarterfinal finish in the Foundation Cup.

The holdovers are Arellano’s Rocky Acidre, Mark Anthony Doligon, Gio Ciriacruz and Isaiah Ciriacruz.

“Definitely, we can contend this time,” said Sy, who is also being supported by Silliman Sy, Patrick Aquino and Rudy Yu.

Though his players are coming from different schools, Isaac sees no problem in running his system.

“They are adjusting to my system very well and that’s the mark of good players,” said Isaac, whose squad will face Boracay Rhum in the opening at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Isaac, however, said their lack of a legitimate center could pose a problem to their title campaign.

“We don’t have a pure center but we can make up for that with our quickness and speed. And we have a lot of good shooters in the team,” said Isaac.