The Blackwater Bossing are eyeing a positive shift in team culture entering the 48th season of the PBA. With a new chief tactician in Jeffrey Cariaso, the once-bottom-dwelling squad has a lot to look forward to, starting in the season-opening conference Commissioner’s Cup. They’ve beaten some of the league’s big-named teams in the PBA On Tour preseason showcase, and they’re out to prove that it’s no fluke.
On Saturday, Cariaso was interviewed on One Ph’s Power and Play wherein he discussed the latest developments in Blackwater’s rebuild. One of the topics he tackled involved the possible breakout campaign of former Gilas Pilipinas member Rey Suerte.
“I’m really excited about Rey Suerte. He was a part of our young Gilas cadets a couple of years ago and there’s a reason for that,” the former PBA star said.
Suerte was picked second overall by Blackwater in the 2019 PBA Draft but took part in the Gilas program for a couple of years before he finally got to play in Asia’s first professional basketball league.
“He has the tools. He has the skill. He has the work ethic. It’s really just the playing time and the lack of experience were what’s holding him back a little bit,” Cariaso said of the Cebuano guard.
Suerte started making a name for himself in the nationwide scene during the Season 82 of the UAAP when he played for a year for the UE Red Warriors. His playmaking and explosive shooting propelled him to become one of the country’s most highly touted young cagers.
To help realize the promising playmaker’s immense potential, the Bossing headmaster asked Suerte to keep working on certain facets of his game.
“My challenge to him is to be able to play and be passionate on both ends,” Cariaso said.
“I like to play both ends. When I was playing, that was one of the things I was very proud of. So, I’m trying to instill that in him and the rest of the players,” he added.
Cariaso was a two-way beast back in his heyday. The sooner Suerte can take after his coach, the quicker Blackwater can turn things around.
(CF)