Blackwater ready to bounce back

MANILA, Philippines — After a nightmarish PBA Commissioner’s Cup where injuries piled up to crush hopes for a playoff advance, Blackwater coach Ariel Vanguardia said yesterday the team is ready to bounce back in the Governors Cup with returning import Shawn Glover. “Our immediate goal is to get and stay healthy,” he said. “I’m praying for an injury-free conference so we can return to the playoffs.”

In the Philippine Cup this season, Blackwater made its sixth playoff appearance since joining the PBA 18 conferences back in 2014-15 and finished eighth. But with Jvee Casio and Josh Torralba out of commission, Baser Amer missing four of the last five games and Troy Rosario sidelined the last six, the Bossing fell to 12th in the Commissioner’s Cup. The bright spot was Blackwater beat San Miguel Beer, Phoenix and Terrafirma with four of its nine losses by six points or less, including an OT setback to Meralco. Casio and Amer will resume full contact training next week. Rosario and Torralba are expected to be back in harness a few weeks into the Governors Cup which begins Jan. 22.

Vanguardia, meanwhile, welcomed back Mike DiGregorio from Converge and added Tyrus Hill and RK Ilagan, also from the FiberXers while giving up Barkley Eboña and the 2023 first-round pick that Blackwater acquired from TNT last year. Ken Holmsvist is trying out for a spot. “Mike and RK look good but Ty is still in the US,” said Vanguardia. “Justin Melton and Jollo Go will be free agents. Trevis Jackson is getting married in April so he couldn’t sign yet.” Returning to the fold are Rey Suerte, Ato Ular, Mark Dyke, Rashawn McCarthy, James Sena, Mike Ayonayon, Rey Publico, Yousef Taha, Gab Banal, Torralba, Amer, Casio and Rosario.

“With better local support and the system already in place, we feel Glover can get us back to the playoffs,” said Vanguardia. Glover, 32, arrived last Jan. 1 and is raring to settle unfinished business. In the 2021-22 Governors Cup, Glover replaced Jaylen Bond after Blackwater stumbled to a 0-5 start and averaged 34.8 points with a high of 47. The Bossing ended the eliminations with a 101-100 upset of Magnolia as Glover delivered 33 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.