Blackwater sets modest goals, leans on improved player confidence

FINISHES:

Philippine Cup: 9th

Commissioner's Cup: 11th

Governors' Cup: 8th

Head coach: Leo Isaac

Addition/s: Raymar Jose, Mike Cortez

MANILA, Philippines — Blackwater will be playing it safe in the new PBA season.

“We don’t want to say words that we might not be able to fulfill,” Elite’s head coach Leo Isaac said. “Just give it our very best every time we play and whatever experience, confidence, we gain from the previous one, we’re hoping we could bring it in this all-Filipino.”

And you can’t fault Isaac for saying that. After all, his squad had been riddled with injuries, with prized 2016 draft pick Mac Belo sitting out most games, the Elite just couldn’t pull off the launch they wanted.

Blackwater's best outing came in last year’s season-ending Governors’ Cup, where they finished eighth and clinched a quarterfinals spot. The other two conferences didn’t see much accomplishment.

But according to Isaac, that eighth-place finish is enough to bring confidence to their side.

"The confidence of the players is elevated to the next level with those superb games that we had last conference and it came to a point that these players realized that they can do it, win big and beat those strong teams,” he said.

“It’s a good morale booster for Blackwater and were hoping we could further improve in our games this conference,” Isaac continued.

Choosing to pass in the 2017 Rookie Draft, Blackwater will be leaning on its old cast. Now with a healthy Belo, the Elite hope his return, paired with the still-growing crew of JP Erram, Mike DiGregorio and Gilas gunner Allein Maliksi—and the addition of draft pick Raymar Jose and veteran guard Mike Cortez—could propel them to new heights.

"We would want to get seasoned players, but since they’re not available, we have to content ourselves with developing players that someday will also be PBA superstars like Erram, DiGregorio, Belo, Maliksi,” Isaac said.

"I won't say that we will make the playoffs easily,” he noted. “[But] we will give them a run for their money. We will give our very best,” Isaac declared. “Every time we play a game, the attitude we’re bringing, were simulating actual game and spontaneously, be game-ready every day.”

Blackwater will get to know if they’re indeed game-ready when they take on 2016 Governors’ Cup finalists Meralco Bolts for their season opener on Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome.