Jeff Cariaso said Blackwater is trying to bring in former San Miguel import Cam Clark to replace Ricky Ledo.
Wondering why Blackwater parted ways with import Ricky Ledo after just two games?
Blackwater coach Cariaso bared Ledo tweaked his ankle twice during that stretch: First, before the Bossing's first game against Blackwater last Tuesday, Aug. 20, and again two days later during the opening quarter of their match against NLEX.
Blackwater lost in both occasions.
“Honestly, he tweaked his ankle kasi the day before our first game. And then, he slightly tweaked it again last game, right at the beginning,” said Cariaso after playing an all-Filipino lineup in their third match against no less than San Miguel, which later won, 128-108.
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Apart from that, Ledo wasn’t exactly as productive as the Bossing expected him to be after collecting a combined 18 points in his first two games against Rain or Shine and NLEX.
And in a conference where there’s always a quick turnaround with six playdates in a week, the Bossing needed to make a move fast, too.
“I think it’s only right that we move forward. When you’re not healthy, when you’re not producing, when you’re not helping, then, I think, this being a quicker conference, you've got to be able to move faster. That's what we did,” Cariaso said.
“It's one of those things, unfortunately, where it doesn’t work out. You have two subpar games at best. But our team, we need more from our import. And he’s got to be able to be that stabilizer for us.”
He added: “It doesn’t even mean scoring 50, like tonight (with San Miguel's reinforcement, Jordan Adams). It means just being solid on both ends.”
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Jordan Adams explodes with 50 points as San Miguel bucks slow start to dump import-less Blackwater]
The PBA legend said the team is trying to bring in former San Miguel import Cam Clark to replace Ledo.
Clark suited up for the Beermen in the Governors’ Cup two seasons ago.
“He should have already sent and signed his contract. Because right before the game, he hasn’t signed it. But we are looking to sign Cameron Clark,” he said.
“We’re hoping he could come in as early as Tuesday. That’s the goal. I’m just waiting for the final confirmation. He is one of two guys we are talking to, but he is obviously our first priority.”