AS Blackwater took an unfamiliar place atop the PBA leaderboard, coach Jeff Cariaso made sure to keep the Bossing's feet on the ground.
“We’re humble enough to know that we haven’t done anything yet,” he told SPIN.ph after the perennial league punching bags won their third straight game in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup, 90-78, at the expense of Converge.
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The Dioceldo Sy-owned franchise is one short of matching the best start in its history, but Cariaso cautioned that the work should never stop if the Bossing are to bring this fast start all the way to the playoffs.
“That’s why we’re going to keep working, keep getting to know each other and getting more familiar with how to do things," he said.
The deeper Blackwater goes this conference, Cariaso said the more this new-look team of mostly inexperienced players will need veterans with championship pedigree like Troy Rosario and James Yap.
The Bossing acquired Yap just last month after he was released by Rain or Shine and the two-time MVP has instantly become an influential voice in the locker room.
“Bringing in a guy like him helped with what we’re trying to build here. He’s got the pedigree, he may not be the same player, but he has valuable contribution, his wisdom, and of course, he still got gas left in him,” Cariaso shared.
Before the 42-year-old became the locker room voice, Blackwater used to rely on younger gunners like Troy Rosario and JVee Casio for leadership.
His respect to his teammates alone is a big morale boost.
Big Game turns mentor
“He’s been mentoring the younger guys, they now have a kuya to rely on, to listen to, because that’s what we’ve been missing," said Cariaso.
"He’s a different category guy and that’s what we need. Guys respect him, and he respects them in return, and the guys feel that,” he added.
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