BLACKWATER coach Jeff Cariaso lauded his players for showing their character and commitment over the last three games that was played over five days.
In a post on Instagram, Cariaso wrote that Blackwater is on right track with what they displayed in their games against some of the best teams in the league in Meralco, Barangay Ginebra, and San Miguel – all in a span of a week.
READ: Magnolia trades Abueva, Balanza, draft pick to NorthPort for Navarro
The Bossing lost all of their games during that stretch but that included a close match-up against the Gin Kings last Friday where they only lost on a game-winning jumper by Japeth Aguilar, 101-99.
Blackwater was defeated by Meralco, 103-85, last Wednesday, and by San Miguel on Sunday, 115-78, but Cariaso was proud with how the team responded to the difficult schedule, their attitude he considers as a victory in itself.
“Playing three games in five days isn’t something our team is accustomed to. That kind of schedule is expected in the semifinals or finals, but encountering it during the elimination round is rare,” wrote Cariaso on Instagram.
“Still, that was the hand we were dealt. And we embraced it as an opportunity to grow and prepare for the level we’re aiming to reach,” he added.
Cariaso said the character that his players showed transcends the results of those games
“What I’m most proud of is how the team responded – both physically and mentally – to the challenge of facing Meralco, Ginebra, and San Miguel in quick succession. The preparation, the discipline, the ability to stay locked in despite fatigue and soreness – all of that speaks volumes about our character and commitment," he continued.
“Our win last week wasn’t in the scoreboard. It was in the way we mentally engaged with each game plan. In how we pushed ourselves to recover quickly. In how we rose to meet the unique challenges each opponent brought.
The results may not have gone our way but what we gained in insight, resilience, and awareness of the consistency needed to compete at this level – that was the true victory,”
'Blackwater is on the right path'
Blackwater is currently at last place with Terrafirma with a 1-7 win-loss record following those string of defeats, and is now on a five-game losing streak. Even with the losses, Cariaso sees a bright future for the Bossing following last week’s games.
“We now understand more what it takes to succeed: complete focus, detail, readiness, and most importantly, doing it all together," he said.
“Blackwater is on the right path. We will continue to sharpen our tools and grow as a unit. These past weeks have been full of valuable lessons, and we’ll use each one to get better. At the end of the day, we’re grateful for the opportunity to play this game – and we’re determined to make the most of it.
“Stay on this path, boys. It’s where we need to be, to get to where we want to go,” said Cariaso.
Following its grueling schedule, Blackwater has a long respite before facing TNT on June 6. It will finish the eliminations against Terrafirma on June 8 and Phoenix on June 13.
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.
