Leo Isaac hopes the Elite’s growing pains are behind them
Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
After a forgettable maiden season in the PBA, Blackwater head coach Leo Isaac hopes the Elite’s offseason haul will be enough to propel the team to a better year.
“We’re positive in a way that we have good things running in our mind. Hopefully, we translate it to good performance for the regular season. Yung nakikita mo sa materyales na mayroon ka, mai-convert sana to good basketball performance,” he said.
The Elite had initially planned on acquiring veterans that will bring leadership to their young team but instead, they ended up getting high-potential rookies in the draft last month.
“Management has decided to invest on young players, on guys who will be competitive for five or seven years. Our thinking is if we get a good player now, maybe he’ll spend his whole career with Blackwater,” he said.
“We’re investing on young players who have the potential to be very good players in the PBA. Hopefully, we’ll have a competitive team.”
Blackwater’s draft haul includes San Beda forward Art dela Cruz, La Salle gunner Almond Vosotros and hardworking forward Keith Agovida out of Arellano University.
“Wala kaming expectations this season. I’ll be very honest and say that all we need to do is compete. It would be a day-to-day basis for us, how can we contain the players to remain competitive,” he said.
Blackwater won only four out of its 29 games last season and Isaac is hoping that all the losing will only make the Elite a better team.
“Sana. I wish na tapos na, but you have to stay positive and focus on the realities na baka andyan pa yung growing pains, may mga players na di pa ready. Overall, the whole team will be ready.”
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