Warning: Undefined variable $column_strips in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 78
Blackwater faces tall order in beating Rain or Shine twice
Warning: Undefined variable $column_strips in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 153
Warning: Undefined variable $nocontent in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 236
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
Blackwater guard Carlo Lastimosa pumps his fist during the Elite’s win over the Mahindra Enforcers Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Blackwater head coach Leo Isaac believes his team is heading the right direction in terms of progress, but fears the Elite may not be tough enough to handle the pressure of playoffs.
The second-year Elite are making their first playoff appearance after a forgettable maiden season by knocking out the Mahindra Enforcers at the close of the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup elimination round last Sunday.
“It’s step in the right direction. A couple trade and acquisitions have made us a better team, but we’re still a work in progress, although I can see encouraging signs. The team is showing some maturity and the young players – Carlo Lastimosa and Art dela Cruz – are blending well with our veterans,” Isaac observed.
Their quarterfinal stint may well be a milestone of sorts for the young franchise. But Isaac, who had been through many playoffs with Barangay Ginebra during his prime, isn’t too excited about their prospect in the next round.
Rain or Shine stands in the way of the Elite in the quarterfinals and he knows that getting past the Elasto Painters is a daunting task not to mention they have to win two in row against the No.3 seed.
Blackwater tries to fight for another day against Rain or Shine on Saturday, 3:00 p.m., at Mall of Asia Arena.
“They’re a tough match up. They are big, they are smart and they have good chemistry. Frankly, I don’t know if we could keep up with them. They’ve been through many playoff battles so they certainly know how to handle the pressure,” said Isaac.
But make no mistake, Isaac isn’t throwing in the towel.
“Anything can happen. Anong malay mo pagdating ng laban hindi magnda ang gising nila. We just have to stay focused.”
Isaac said their knockout victory against Mahindra is a good confidence boost and hopes his chargers would build on it. (Dave Coros)
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 $isghub in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 429
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_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
Warning: Undefined array key "test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 802
EDITORS' PICK
Warning: Undefined variable $data_for_HompageFG_obj in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 816
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, null given in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 819
Warning: Undefined variable $MR_data_for_obj in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 850
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, null given in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 850
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
Warning: Undefined variable $bc_tag in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 1239
