BLACKWATER went through a dizzying phase in the off-season, drastically overhauling a team that is coming off a franchise-best performance.
Coach Bong Ramos is now eager to see how his new-look Elite would range against NorthPort as they open their campaign in the PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Batang Pier did little in terms of re-tooling, merely adding first round pick Robert Bolick and free agent Jomari Sollano in their lineup that wound up seventh in the same season-opening tourney last year.
That innate chemistry, plus the fact Stanley Pringle and Sean Anthony are both healthy and raring to go, make coach Pido Jarencio upbeat.
"The team is ready to compete," said Jarencio. "We just need to get a good start to get us going."
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Ramos is just as eager to see how his team fares, but for a slightly different reason.
"Tomorrow's game is crucial because it will be a test for Blackwater," said Ramos, who steered Blackwater to a franchise-best sixth place in the last Governors Cup.
"We will see on what level are we at this stage after the off-season preparation," added Ramos.
The guarded comment stems from what the Elite went through since winding up the season with a loss to eventual champion Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok in the quarterfinals last Nov. 6.
Gone are JP Erram, John Pinto and Paul Zamar, who all played vital roles in the stellar run. Erram has been traded to NLEX, Zamar to San Miguel Beer and Pinto, after refusing a new contract, eventually found his way to Meralco.
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In their place are Paul Desiderio and Abu Tratter, who were acquired in the Erram trade, and fellow rookie Diego Dario, plus free agent Gelo Alolino and Joseph Eriobu.
Allein Maliksi and Mike Digregorio remain and are expected to lead the team, but Rabeh Al-Hussaini remains suspended by management for going AWOL, leaving Ramos to make do with a smaller lineup.
Despite the odds, Ramos remains determined to squeeze the most out of his team.
"I believe in my players' talent," stated Ramos. "Only I want to see if we've already improved on our cohesiveness." (NC)
