Blackwater Elite
Roster: Mike DiGregorio, Raphael Banal, Roi Sumang, Poy Erram, Mark Cruz, Nard Pinto, Mac Belo, James Sena, Chris Javier, Allein Maliksi, Dave Marcelo
Key additions: Raymar Jose, Mike Cortez, Renz Palma, Kyle Neypes
Significant losses: Denok Miranda, KG Canaleta
BLACKWATER coach Leo Isaac refused to make any promises, but said the Elite will use a rousing PBA Governors' Cup run as springboard for the new season.
Behind import Bill Walker and Allein Maliksi, the Elite squeezed their way to the quarterfinals, pushed top-seed Meralco on the brink of elimination, before falling short of a first semifinals appearance in franchise history.
Now Isaac and his wards - reinforced by rookie Raymar Jose - are raring to bring the confidence they have gained from last season to the Philippine Cup.
Incidentally, they jumpstart their season against the Bolts.
"We’ll play it safe. We don’t want to say words that we might not be able to fulfill," Isaac said.
"We'll just give our very best every time we play and whatever experience and confidence we gain from last conference, we’re hoping we could bring it this all-Filipino."
Another playoff appearance will be a long shot, with other teams also beefing up their respective rosters including the mighty San Miguel Beermen, who are gunning for a fourth straight All-Filipino title.
What Isaac can assure right now is that Blackwater will give these top-tier teams a run for their money.
"I won’t say that easily, we will make the playoffs... We will give our very best. Every time we play a game, the attitude we're bringing, we're simulating actual game and spontaneously be game ready every day," he said.
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.
