The PBA's winningest coach knows what he's saying.
The Blackwater Bossing are still pining for a breakthrough campaign in the PBA since joining as an expansion team in 2014.
The team has had many young talents and breakout players in the past, but curiously, they quickly got traded. Just to name a few: Ray Parks Jr., Poy Erram, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Mac Belo, Carlo Lastimosa, and Brian Heruela. They've also traded high draft picks that turned out to be Mo Tautuaa, Calvin Oftana, and Mikey Williams.
The Bossing have found it hard to be competitive in the PBA. They've had five one-win conferences, including last season's Governors' Cup. They have yet to make it past the quarterfinals. The squad's revolving door of coaches hasn't helped in building a consistent culture, let alone a winning one.
But for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel coach Tim Cone, it won't be long until Blackwater finally becomes a contender.
The reason? Coach Jeff Cariaso.
"They're doing a great job of controlling the tempo, and I think that's number one. By controlling the tempo, he (Cariaso) can put up a really good defensive stand—we had trouble penetrating his defense—and they become an execution-type team," said Cone after they escaped the Bossing on Sunday.
The league's winningest coach couldn't help but hark back to the dynasty of the Alaska Milkmen, where Cariaso played a key role as a two-way weapon.
"If I may say, I don't want to insult Jeffrey, but (they're) kind of like the Alaska of the 90s. We were (about) execution and tempo and (we're a) culture-driven team," noted Cone.
He added that Cariaso, who's in his first conference with Blackwater, has the right pieces at his disposal.
"They're very organized and I think he's getting the most out of every player. (RK) Ilagan played great tonight, he had a tremendous first half. He's got guys like (Tyrus) Hill who's developing, I think Troy (Rosario) is back to where he was a couple of years ago when he was playing really well, (Rey) Suerte is playing so much better," said Cone.
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But the biggest compliment from Cone, who knows how to spot a winner from miles away, was arguably his fearless forecast.
"If they continue this path and if they give Jeffrey the opportunity, he's going to build a culture, and they're going to be a contending team very soon," said Cone.
The Bossing will look to improve on their 1-4 record on Saturday when they battle the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.