YOUNG TALENTS HIGH ON BLACKWATER’S WISH LIST
A young team with fresh legs and a positive outlook.
That is how Blackwater Sports team manager Johnson Martines views the makeup of the Elite as it prepares for its inaugural campaign in the PBA next season.
And in anticipation of the Expansion Draft slated next Friday at the PBA Office, he said that the team is looking forward to picking young guys who were left unprotected by their mother ball clubs in the expansion pool.
“Ang hinahanap namin ay yung mga bata. Maybe we’ll pick two to three veterans to guide the team,” Martines said.
He also answered in the affirmative, when asked if they are looking at the prospects of reuniting with former players they had in the D-League, who might end up in the pool.
“Pwede namin silang kunin, pero as of now, di ko pa nakikita yung list eh,” he said.
Martinez said that the Expansion Draft will just be the first step for their team in hopes of building a competitive squad.
“Meron pa rin namang Rookie Draft eh, so dun kami pipili ng players which we will build up on. Hopefully, in two years at least, gagaling na yang mga yan,” he said.
The amiable team manager also bared that the team will stick with their coaching staff in the PBA D-League, led by head coach Leo Isaac.
“Siya pa rin ang coach namin,” Martines said. “We’re happy with him, and he’s been with us ever since. Maganda yung sistema nya at yun ang mahalaga sa amin.”
“We might not have a superstar in our team, but we have a superstar coach,” he added, giving his vote of confidence to the veteran tactician. (RL)
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.
