Blackwater Bossing main men Sedrick Barefield and Christian David did their thing in the Bossing’s first win of the 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup against the NorthPort Batang Pier. But they also got plenty of help from Blackwater’s shock troopers—including newcomers Troy Mallillin and BJ Andrade and the always explosive RK Ilagan.
For Mallilin and company, it was all about rising to the challenge Jeffrey Cariaso issued to the team: to always stay ready and reliable.
“Everyone stepped up and played well. Regardless if they were starting or coming off the bench, guys were prepared to play,” Cariaso told reporters after Blackwater’s 120-98 rout of NorthPort on Wednesday. “That’s really the attitude you have to have each and every single game. You have to understand that you are needed and you are reliable. It’s important that you make yourself reliable and ready to play, and that was my challenge for them tonight.”
Indeed, everyone was ready against the Batang Pier—and there were contributions up and down the Blackwater roster, starting with RK Ilagan’s 17 points and 8 assists of the bench. Russell Escoto got into the act as well, chipping in 15 points and 6 boards, also off the Bossing bench.
Cariaso Shouts Out Troy Mallillin and BJ Andrade
Newcomers BJ Andrade and Troy Mallillin also stepped up for Blackwater, and Cariaso made sure to give them their props after the game. Andrade, acquired by the Bossing for Rey Suerte, fired 14 points and grabbed 5 boards, while Mallillin, signed by Blackwater in the offseason, had 10 points and 6 boards in 24 energetic minutes.
“Silang dalawa ni Troy, they both came out and played their best game so far this conference. One thing we like about those two is they work hard and they do what’s asked of them,” Cariaso said of Andrade and Mallillin. “We like the defensive mindset that they bring, so that was the reason we wanted to bring them over.”
The Jet, though, wants his Bossing to keep raising the bar, with the end goal of being consistent.
Troy Mallillin, BJ Andrade, and the rest of the Bossing will look to do just that—and they have a dominant win to build on.
