PAT Aquino is grateful for the support still given by Jeff Cariaso to step in as Blackwater's new coach.
Aquino said the first thing he did when he got told of his appointment as interim coach was to personally call his former superior and predecessor.
“I did talk to coach Jeff. The first thing I did after I heard about it was to talk to coach Jeff. He called me up and said no worries. He said thank you for supporting him and I also thanked him for supporting me,” said the former mentor of Gilas Pilipinas Women.
Aquino, a prominent University of the Philippines alumnus, has nothing but good words for the 53-year-old Cariaso, one of the PBA's 50 Greatest Players who was at the helm of the Bossing for the last three years.
READ: Jeff Cariaso shares side on exit from Blackwater
He describes Cariaso as a very nice guy.
“We can’t take anything away from coach Jeff, a very passionate guy who loves what he’s doing. And I’m just thankful to him for accepting me when I came again,” said Aquino, who returned and became one of Blackwater's deputies at the time when Cariaso was already calling the shots.
Aquino added he’s sure that soon enough, Cariaso will be get another crack at a coaching job.
Quick change at Blackwater
The multi-titled women’s mentor, though, admitted this transition happened so fast that less than 24 hours since Cariaso and the Bossing parted ways, Aquino had to call his first practice right away at the Ronac Art Center in Greenhills on Saturday afternoon - with no less than team owner Dioceldo Sy in attendance.
“Ang bilis ng pangyayari,” he said, as he now bears the responsibility of turning around a team that totes a 1-4 record in the ongoing Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.
“But this is our job. It’s what a coach is supposed to be doing, face challenges. I know it’s a big task coming up.”
Aquino added everything remains status quo for the team, with Blackwater fully focused on their remaining seven games.
“As of now, napag-usapan namin nila Boss Dio na same pa rin, wala namang pagbabago. I think yung coaching staff naman is already there, they’re of great help, so let’s give them a chance,” he said.
A long-time personnel of the Ever Bilena organization which serves as the mother company of Blackwater, Aquino is likewise thankful to the Sy brothers – Dioceldo and Siliman – for their complete trust in him to run their franchise.
“I just want to thank Boss Dioceldo for giving me this opportunity. I know it’s a tough decision Boss Dioceldo has to make,” he said.
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