IT was supposed to be a celebration of Jeff Cariaso's inclusiong in the PBA 50 Greatest list.
Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out to be that way.
Instead, Blackwater wallowed in its 106-84 loss to Magnolia as it began its PBA Philippine Cup campaign on the wrong foot, Saturday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
READ: Lucero leads balanced Magnolia attack in rout of Blackwater
The loss came three days after Cariaso was included in the 10 additions to the league’s 50 Greatest Players of all time in celebration for its golden anniversary on April 9.
The soft-spoken coach said the 22-point loss wasn’t a spoiler, but ‘it spoiled [his] mood.’
“I know we’re a lot better than our record shows. It’s just really gaining more experience together,” said Cariaso, who admitted getting a bit livid with the Bossing shortly after the game.
The mood of course, was different in practice the day after Cariaso was formally named to the PBA Greatest Players.
“They were happy for me. (But) we just moved forward. And I said you (Bossing) thank me by giving me a win (tonight). The focus was on Magnolia,” said the Blackwater coach.
Blackwater was actually in the game for most of the first half, but fell behind in the third quarter when the Hotshots scored 32 big points and began to pull away, 85-66.
If there’s any positive takeaway for the Bossing, its rookie Sedric Barefield back again in action to finish with 24 points on 4-of-8 shooting from three point region and dishing off seven assists.
There’s also sophomore big man Christian David, who finished with a game-high 31, five rebounds, and two steals, including 4-of-7 from the three-point arc.
Those were good enough to somehow ease the pain of the loss on the coaching standpoint for Cariaso.
“Remember, I played a long time ago. I’m happy for the recognition (50 Greatest Players), but my focus now is really as a coach and I’m preparing Blackwater. I’m just happy that I was given this opportunity,” he said.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
