Entering their third season in the PBA, the Blackwater Elite have yet to reach the playoffs. Moreover, the Elite have just totaled 10 wins in 66 regular season games.
Sunday afternoon, the Ever Bilena-financed franchise may have finally found the franchise-altering player that they have been looking for. Blackwater tapped the services of former UAAP Season 78 Finals and PBA D-League Foundation Cup MVP Mac Belo in the Gilas Draft, while selecting 6-foot-1 guard Raphael Banal as the top overall pick in the regular draft.
“Young bloods. Talent-wise, they can develop into future PBA superstars and play good basketball for Blackwater,” an optimistic Leo Isaac shared.
And with an already young core that consists of Art Dela Cruz and the injured-JP Erram, the addition of the 23-year-old Belo and the 24-year-old Banal might be the pieces needed by the franchise to elevate their game.
“Hopefully. We’re hoping that they can help us in our cause and we’re very optimistic with this development that we’re able to grab the best available talent in this Rookie Draft,” he added.
The goal now for Isaac and the franchise is to make the playoffs for the first time in team history.
“We want a more prominent appearance in the playoffs. We want to be a contender, competitive with the other top brass PBA teams and as we go on to our third year, gusto namin nandoon na kami at lumalaban lagi kami,” he shared.
However, the two rookies are not promising anything, only vowing that they will do their best to lift the struggling franchise.
“I’ll just play my game. Ever since day one, my job was to keep working hard. That’s all you can ask from me and that’s all I’m gonna give. Pressure is always gonna be there so I guess I just have to keep working,” Banal said.
“Basta kami magtutulungan kami kasi nasa isang team na kami. Magtutulungan kami na makatulong sa team at maiangat din ang team,” Belo added.
