Games today:
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. — Blackwater vs Converge
7:30 p.m. — Meralco vs NLEX
Blackwater head coach Jeff Cariaso hopes that a rare 2-0 win-loss record would be the start of something promising for the franchise.
“I hope so, like I’ve said we’re very, I guess, practical with how we view things,” he said.
But the Bossing tactician knows that it would need a lot more from his men to keep their winning streak going early in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
Blackwater is not taking winless Converge lightly in its aim to get the solo lead when they cross paths on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Game time is at 4:30 p.m. followed by the 7:30 p.m. showdown between Meralco and NLEX.
“We know that we have to be at the top of our game if not better game in and game out to beat every team in the PBA because every team has improved,” Cariaso said.
“We know that there are talents, young talents across the teams, across the boards. We’re focused on us improving and we’ve taken two good steps.”
The Bossing are on a roll after taking down the Bolts, 96-93, to start their campaign before blasting TNT, 87-76, last Saturday. A win will pull Blackwater out of a two-way tie at the top spot with Terrafirma.
With Rey Nambatac going down with a grade 1 right ankle sprain the last time out, it was RK Ilagan who stepped up to the plate providing 15 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in a relief role.
Aside from Ilagan, Cariaso will also pin his hopes on the consistency of main man Troy Rosario, who is averaging 17.5 points and 5.0 rebounds, Christian David, James Kwekuteye, Bradwyn Guinto and the veteran presence of James Yap while Nambatac’s status remains day-to-day.
“We know that’s only two steps and we have to keep moving forward and keep working. You have guys like RK who brings in the effort and the work effort daily and again only good things will happen,” he said.
Converge, on the other hand, is reeling from a 99-107 defeat at the hands of Terrafirma and doubly stinging 104-112 overtime loss to NorthPort despite coming back from an 18-point deficit in regulation.
These sorry losses, according to Cariaso, make the FiberXers even more dangerous.
“We are not taking them lightly. We can’t afford to do that. I know it’s going to be a good game,” Cariaso said.
“They will be hungry to win so we have to be ready. We can’t afford to be complacent.”
The Bossing should focus their eyes on Converge’s 1-2 punch in Alec Stockton and Justin Arana.
The two energy players have been doing most of the damage for the FiberXers.
Stockton is now sporting an average of 22.5 points while Arana has been equally solid with 21.5 markers along with 9.5 rebounds per outing.
Meanwhile, Meralco and NLEX are in a four-way tie with 1-1 cards along with TNT and NorthPort.
The Bolts outlasted Rain or Shine, 121-117, last Saturday while the Road Warriors suffered a 95-99 defeat against Terrafirma.
