CHICAGO - I had an interesting day. Around dinner time, I received a series of text messages from Blackwater coach Jeff Cariaso.
He was unhappy over the story I wrote yesterday that his team's No.2 pick - Sedrick Barefild - is being eyed by San Miguel Beer in a potential trade for Terrence Romeo and two other assets.
Because he specifically told me "no need to reply" and "I am not giving you permission to (quote me) " I won't share what he relayed.
COLUMN: Barefield going from Bossing to Beermen?
All I can say is that his verbal shrapnel felt condescending and arrogant. He sermonized so much I thought he was going to explain to me, finally at age 56, the meaning of life.
Honestly, this was shocking. I thought Jeff, one of the heroes I worshipped during his playing days, was a nice guy. We all have our bad days, I guess.
And that's why I kept my big mouth shut. I can take a punch, and besides, what's a few swings between "friends" eh?
DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER.
But when coach Jeff went on the Facebook page of SPIN.ph and labeled my article as "Absolute BS," I couldn't just turn the other cheek after he already viciously slapped and reddened one.
When challenged, I need to defend my reporting, which stands stiff on the backbone of impeccable sourcing. When questioned, I am obligated to also defend the editorial rectitude of this publication I write a column for.
Mr. Cariaso, sir, just because you believe that what I wrote is untrue doesn't mean it's false, either. You don't know what I know. You don't know who I talk to.
What we all know is that Blackwater has a notorious history of trading away its top picks to the rich teams.
Why then is the idea of Barefield possibly taking a similar path seem so repulsive to you, coach?
Is it because you have, to paraphrase your own words, absolutely no control or say over it? Or is it because you realize that your chance at success at Blackwater dissipates the moment Barefiled disappears?
Blackwater management isn't always transparent when it comes to personnel movement. Last September 2021, former coach Nash Racela found out about his firing only in the news.
Since you're now in the mood to comment, let me ask you, coach Jeff.
Did your superiors consult you before they funneled Rey Nambatac to TNT last month? My guess is that it's a "no." So what makes you think they won't keep you in the dark about their plans for Barefield?
Class
I always reach out to concerned parties when doing a story. It's called due diligence. Those who choose not to reply kind of forfeits their right to cry foul when they don't like what was posted.
They can't have their cake and eat it, too.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone doesn't like me. So does Magnolia's Chito Victolero. But neither men had ever talked me down or hurled expletives on any of the stories I've written.
It's called respect for another man's job.
Maybe I'm just a fool to believe that a woeful franchise such as Blackwater can lose so many games without losing its class.
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