LOOKING AT BLACKWATER AFTER THE EXPANSION DRAFT

Warning: Undefined variable $nocontent in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 236

Warning: Undefined variable $iscovid in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 239

Warning: Undefined variable $FEAT_STORIES in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 685

Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, bool given in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 688

Warning: Undefined array key 0 in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 730

Now that the expansion draft is done, let’s grade first the selection of Blackwater Sports that will be coached by former Ginebra San Miguel great Leo Isaac.

Center: Danny Ildefonso, JP Erram, Bryan Faundo,

Power Forward: Eddie Laure, Gilbert Bulawan

Small Forward: JR Cawaling, Norman Gonzales,  Bam Gamalinda

Shooting Guard: Alex Nuyles, Robby Celiz

Point Guard: Paul Artadi, Chris Timberlake

Blackwater will be able to add several more players in the upcoming PBA Rookie Draft as they have the 12^th and last pick of the first round and the 11^th pick of the second round.

Looking at their selections from the expansion draft, what they have is a halfcourt team. It’s a slow team that won’t necessarily get out on the break. If they do run, they have Alex Nuyles who should play a big role in this team. There’s JR Cawaling, although he is more of a shooter than a finisher on the break, and Paul Artadi and Chris Timberlake. And make no mistake, JP Erram can run the floor too.

But before you can run, you have to be able to rebound that ball and that brings us to the men who will patrol that shaded lane.

Centers/Power Forwards:

They have players who can pound the ball inside in Danny Ildefonso, Bryan Faundo, Erram, and Gilbert Bulawan.

I don’t see Danny playing long minutes but if kept fresh and given some minutes, he might be a huge factor. Lakay has a lot of motivation going on and will be eager to prove that he isn’t washed up.

Of the three others, I am higher on JP Erram provided he gets his confidence going. He has a decent medium range jumper and if finally playing with that confidence we saw while in college, can be deadly with putbacks and hooks inside. I’m sure he’ll even throw down a few rim rattlers. In fact, he could be the primary rim protector as he’s a very good shot blocker.

Bryan Faundo and Gilbert Bulawan could be the Bruise Brothers of Blackwater…. provided they score more points than they bump and thump opponents around.

Eddie Laure will be the other senior citizen in this bunch. He will bring a lot of professionalism and work ethic to this team. Like Danny, won’t be getting too many minutes but hoping he can be an impact player in those limited minutes.

Small Forwards:

Alex Nuyles can swing over here because they will need someone to break down the defense on the wing. If he can develop a more consistent jump shot he’ll be an even bigger threat.

Nuyles, could be the most important player in this roster. If he realizes what he can do for this team such as score, defend, and create for teammates, they’ll make it difficult for many an opponent.

JR Cawaling can shoot. Just needs to be more consistent.

Bam Gamalinda, if he can use Ranidel De Ocampo as a template for the player he should be, will help.

Norman Gonzales… this guy knows what battling impossible odds is all about.  From his days of being accused of drug use to making a comeback with Sta. Lucia and playing for the Saigon Heat in the ABL. It would be interesting to see what he can contribute to this team given his age.

Shooting Guard:

Nuyles can play here or if not Robby Celiz. Consistency is a word that will be bounced around a lot for Blackwater. If Celiz can hit that outside shot with consistency, he will help the forwards and centers. If he misfires and there is no consistent or real scary outside threat here, it’s going to be a long day at the office.

Point Guards:

Paul Artadi’s weakness has been his outside shot. He more than made up for that with his speed and willingness to drive inside. It would be interesting to see how he adapts his strengths to this squad. If he can be a true point guard and set up teammates, Coach Leo will have found his playmaker. If it works, he could form a great partnership with Alex Nuyles.

Chris Timberlake. Much the same with Artadi. Gotta work on his playmaking and outside shot.

The challenges for Blackwater:

The trick with expansion teams is that all these guys are discards. They’ll be hungry for the ball and looking to put up points on the board. If players are reigned in so as not to be selfish – given proper backing by management – they’ll do all right. If not and they all look for their own shot, they’ll be blown off the floor.

What they will want to do is to keep the game close so they have a chance. They do not have the personnel to compete… yet. So they want to play smart and keep the game close.

Think of themselves as this year’s Ginebra. Yes, the Ginebra of old and not the superstar laden team it has been in the last decade or so. The old Ginebra of Jawo was filled with discards, has beens, and veterans. Isaac was one of the young guns on that team along with Dondon Ampalayo. He was a shooting guard and small forward who was also tasked to bring up the ball. He sure knows the feeling and he might be the perfect coach for this team.

Warning: Undefined array key "TESTPAGE" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 254

Warning: Undefined array key "fb" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 280

Warning: Undefined variable $thinq in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 318

Warning: Undefined variable $var_sports_vlurb in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 328

Warning: Undefined variable $mindanaoQuake2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 442

Warning: Undefined variable $showSolicit_batanes in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 459

Warning: Undefined variable $seagames in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 475

Warning: Undefined variable $tokyoOlympics2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 481

Warning: Undefined variable $help_taal in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 490

Warning: Undefined variable $help_ompong in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 525

Warning: Undefined variable $elections_2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 538

Warning: Undefined variable $typhoon_2018_redirect in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 543

Warning: Undefined variable $ncov2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 555

Warning: Undefined variable $tyhoon2020_marthon in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 578

Warning: Undefined variable $dotnet23 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 585

Warning: Undefined variable $suicide in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 595

Warning: Undefined variable $yearend2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 600

Warning: Undefined array key "inqplus_test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 609

Warning: Undefined array key "newreadnext" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 664

View comments

TAGS:

Warning: Undefined variable $bc_tag in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 1239

For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.

Warning: Undefined array key "ss2_test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 1418