MIKE DiGregorio returned to Blackwater in time for the team’s final game of the PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup last Saturday against Converge.
Mike felt he shouldn't have left in the first place.
DiGregorio played 13 minutes and 43 seconds in his comeback game for the Bossing, producing five points, two rebounds, and two assists in the 136-122 loss to the FiberXers on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
READ Mike DiGregorio returns for Blackwater's farewell game
The 34-year-old DiGregorio's comeback marks his third stint with Blackwater. His first came in 2017 to 2019, the second from 2023 to 2024. He joined Pangasinan in the MPBL last year, before coming back to Blackwater.
“Obviously, I'm still playing, so Blackwater is home to me,” said DiGregorio, a fourth-round selection in the 2015 Draft by the Terrafirma franchise.
“I have a great relationship with the ownership. Obviously, I had a great career over here with Blackwater, and that's where I really made a name for myself. It feels like home to me. I know all the guys, the assistant coaches, all the ball boys, everybody. So it feels like home to me, and it felt like a perfect fit,” he added.
Prior to his comeback game, DiGregorio has been spotted at the back of the Blackwater bench and even in the dugout since Pat Aquino was elevated to the head coaching post.
“After I left the PBA, I played in Pangasinan last year. We went to the division finals, lost to Abra. For whatever reason, they went on a leave of absence. I’m not sure what the reasoning was,” said DiGregorio.
Even when he was in the MPBL, DiGregorio felt that he would be back in the PBA at some point in the future.
“Number one, I believe in myself. I’ve proven that. I think, as you know, you guys (media) have been around for a long time, professional sports, a lot of it is situational. So the last situation, it was part of the business.
"That’s part of the business. There was a different coaching staff. There was a different people in charge. So that was what they wanted. And like I said, that was part of the business,” said DiGregorio.
“I always believe that (I’ll be back). Number one, I don’t think I should have left. But again, that’s part of the business.”
After playing his lone game of the conference, DiGregorio looks set for an extended stay with Bossing.
“We are going to work out on some stuff,” he added.
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