IT was mixed emotions for Rey Suerte as he faced his former team Blackwater for the first time since being traded to Converge.
Suerte said he was grateful seeing his former teammates again and sharing the playing court with them during the main game of the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
READ Converge acquires Rey Suerte in trade with Blackwater for Andrade
But at the same time, he felt a little awkward having to go up against them in his first meeting with the Bossing after being dealt to the FiberXers for shooting guard BJ Andrade.
“Masaya ako kasi nakita ko ulit sila (Bossing), pero nakakapanibago lang siyempre,” admitted the 6-foot-2 shooting guard who had stints with the University of the Visayas and University of the East during his college years.
“Siyempre, tatlong taon din akong nasa Blackwater. Kaya kaninang nakalaban ko sila, bago yun para sa akin.”
Suerte was the second overall pick by Blackwater in the special Gilas draft in 2019.
But he didn’t make his franchise debut until the 2022 Governors’ Cup, staying there before he was traded by the Bossing to the FiberXers at the start of the season’s final conference.
He admitted being taken aback by the trade, which he only got to learn shortly after Blackwater’s first day of training in preparation for the all-Filipino tournament.
“Medyo mag pagkagulat lang ako. After first day ng practice namin galing bakasyon doon pinaalam sa akin ni coach (Jeff Cariaso) na mate-trade ako.”
“Pero ganun naman talaga (ang basketball).”
Suerte's fiery debut
It wasn’t designed though, that Suerte played his best game in a Converge uniform opposite against Blackwater.
He was one of five players in double figures for the FiberXers with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field, including 3-of-4 from three-point range, helping the team even its record at 2-2.
“Nabigyan ako ng chance, so nilaro ko na rin yung laro ko,” said Suerte.
So far, he’s slowly getting adjusted playing under the system of the FiberXers.
“Mga bata e. Siyempre kailangan din sumabay,” he added.
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.
