Six months after switching head coaches, change is coming again to the Blackwater Elite camp.
Former Phoenix Fuel Masters chief bench strategist Ariel Vanguardia is set to be named as the team’s new alternate governor, effective November 1, Blackwater owner Dioceldo Sy confirmed to Tiebreaker Times.
Vanguardia will be replacing long-time alternate governor Wilbert Loa.
This will be a reunion between Vanguardia and Blackwater, as the former served as an assistant for the Elite back in 2014 and 2015, during the ABL’s off-season – he was the Westports Malaysia Dragons’ head coach at the time.
Vanguardia has also been named as Blackwater’s sports director, as the company is looking to expand its’ sports division. In an Instagram post by him Monday, they have signed Olympic swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi.
“Ariel will be our sports director and alternate governor to PBA board effective November 1,” Sy said in a text message.
“We are expanding our sports dept that’s why we got Ariel and Jasmine Alkhaldi for Swimming.”
Given all of this, Vanguardia couldn’t be more grateful.
“Very thankful to Boss Dio and Boss Silliman (Sy) for treating me like family even before,” said Vanguardia, who is also the Elite’s consultant. “Now they even trust me with greater responsibility and challenge with the new appointment.
“I’m very excited with the new challenge.”
