ANTIPOLO – Blackwater put on a decent showing in its first game with Pat Aquino at the helm on Tuesday in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup.
Facing defending champion TNT and Bol Bol, the Bossing nearly erased a 74-57 deficit, and a 95-85 gap in the final moments of the fourth, but eventually fell short against the Tropang 5G, 99-94.
“Hirap pala mag-coach sa PBA. So hard,” said Aquino after the game that became a thriller in the end. “A lot more adjustments to go.”
READ: TNT survives late Blackwater run to spoil Pat Aquino's PBA debut
The Bossing's record dropped to 1-5 win-loss following the defeat over TNT, but Aquino remains optimistic about the team's campaign.
Aquino comes to Blackwater with an impressive resume, but in the women's game with three gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games with Gilas Pilipinas Women, and six championships in the UAAP with National University.
And just like in the women's squads that he coached, Aquino has also brought his fiery approach to his players. During one point in the contest, Aquino uttered the words ‘pongalangala’ that former University of the Philippines coach Joe Lipa became known for.
Bringing in his style of coaching, Aquino is determined to put together a winning team at Blackwater.
“I don't know if I'm gonna change. The thing is, I just need them to know how I feel about the game,” Aquino said.
“And as I've told them before, I'm gonna work. And you are gonna work. And I'm a winner. You should be winners,” he added.
Aquino took over the team on Saturday when he replaced Jeff Cariaso. And even with the short preparation time against TNT, Aquino feels like the players are already picking up his ways.
“I know we fell short but I think may little changes that I think you saw naman. May konting pagbabago but we need more of that. And natapat pa tayo sa shooting woes namin. We were 2 out of 25 sa threes. We will try to get back," he said.
“I think they are getting it,” he continued. “Hopefully, they'll get used to it. All the shouting that I've been doing and everything. Hopefully, we do more.”
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.
