BLACKWATER TO INVEST ON YOUNG TALENTS
Finishing at the tailend in all three conferences, Blackwater’s inaugural season in the PBA may be considered forgettable.
Team manager Johnson Martines admits that, and promised that a shake-up is on the horizon for the Elite.
“This season, medyo di maganda. Right now, ang instruction ko sa coaches is to review the games, compile the stats, and from there, dun ko malalaman if the contracts of the players will be extended or not, if any,” he said.
“There’s going to be a revamp. This coming Rookie Draft, maraming players dyan that we could pick, but we still have to assess our team.”
The last place finish would’ve given Blackwater a chance to sign a marquee player in the annual rookie selection, but a prior trade with Talk ‘N Text would switch the teams’ selections, moving back the Elite several notches lower in the first round.
Martines, though, is unfazed.
“We’re planning to get some draft picks ng ibang teams in exchange for some players. There’s a lot of players na sasali sa Rookie Draft. Some we know, some di pa namin nasa-scout. We want to review it properly,” he said.
Blackwater will also do away from its blueprint this season of parading experienced players and would now plot a plan to develop younger talent in its fold.
“So far, our own assessment shows we need to invest on the younger talent,” Martines said. “With how this season went, definitely we are looking forward to develop the team and form a better squad.” (RL)
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