JEFF Cariaso remains optimistic about Blackwater’s future notwithstanding the dismal finish the franchise had in its PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign.
The Bossing’s acquisition of young talent this season such as rookies Christian David, James Kwekuteye, Clifford Jopia, and Archie Concepcion, along with Rey Suerte, Ato Ular, and RK Ilagan gave Cariaso enough confidence that things would be better for the team come the Philippine Cup.
“I’m really, truly excited about our young core, looking forward to see what they can do,” he said on Friday night as Blackwater played its final game in the season-opening conference.
“We believe we’re gonna do a lot better come the All-Filipino."
The Bossing actually kicked off their campaign on a high note, scoring a 103-84 blowout of Converge in its opening game. But the team would lose its next 10 games including one against San Miguel on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, 125-117.
Injuries to key players JVee Casio, Baser Amer, and Troy Rosario, who Cariaso referred to as the cornerstone of the team, obviously hurt the cause of the Bossing, but at the same time, the growth of the team didn't happen fast enough.
“The take from this was there’s a lot of growth we need to go through. We really are in the process, we really are developing not only how to learn in the PBA, but learning our identity,” the Blackwater coach pointed out.
“What’s our identity? How do we want to move forward?”
Blackwater will go on a 10-day break and then return to practice again to prepare for the season-ending conference.
“A lot to look forward to. I truly believed we are a lot better than our record (1-11). That’s our belief,” Cariaso said. “Again looking forward to the All-Filipino.”
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