Many probably were surprised that the Blackwater Bossing dominated the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters so thoroughly on Saturday, hacking out a 131-108 rout at the Ynares Center in Montalban to open their PBA Governors’ Cup with a rousing victory.
Pat Aquino isn’t one of them.
Blackwater’s Blistering Debut a Product of Great Preparation
Aquino, who replaced Jeffrey Cariaso at about the midway mark of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, was asked in Saturday’s postgame presser whether he was surprised at the result of the game. He answered in the negative—and quite emphatically, to be clear.
“No, because I think we had a great offseason. We talked about it—how we would get back next conference,” Aquino said. “I think everybody has the motivation coming into this conference. With KB [import Kentrell Barkley] around, he’s a great help for us. Being a great leader out there.”
Barkley was a great help for sure, sparking the Bossing’s sterling first quarter with 18 early points on 6-for-6 shooting overall. He wound up with 29 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in the win.
Just the Start?
While this is the start Blackwater was pining for, Aquino acknowledged there’s plenty of work to be done.
“We’re just happy that we won our first game. It’s a good start. That’s what we want… We’ll just follow up in the next games to be better. Just play and enjoy the game,” Aquino pointed out. “We hope that we just continue working harder and we improve more in the coming games.”
For a team fighting for respect and relevance, any win, especially against the PBA’s elite, is a welcome development. Aquino doesn’t want Blackwater to stop there.
“We need a lot more work to be done. I know this is just the start. It’s a long, long way for the conference,” he said.
It’s a long way, indeed. But at least the Bossing got the start they wanted.
