Ed Daquioag isn’t new to the point guard position, and he’s willing to play there again for Blackwater.
But it will be more challenging for the incoming four-year pro this time around, since he’s received the task from new Elite head coach Nash Racela himself.
“They want me to play point. Siguro ‘yun ‘yung big challenge for me dito,” said Daquioag, who went to the Elite via three-team trade that involved TNT and NLEX with Poy Erram as the focal point.
Racela, on the other hand, explained that he sees the former University of Santo Tomas stalwart as someone who can provide stability to this relatively young Blackwater squad, hence the role.
“We’re looking at Ed to give us stability. Siyempre beterano na rin ‘yan. Tatlong taon na rin ‘yang nasa liga,” Racela said.
Daquioag isn’t putting too much pressure on himself to fulfill his role, though. He’s simply patient in learning the scheme of things of his new team, just like the rest of his teammates.
“Lahat kami in a learning process.
“And kailangan, nagpo-progress kami every practice, every game,” said the 28-year-old as he joins a Blackwater team that underwent a revamp late last season.
And as far as learning is concerned, Daquioag has no problems since he has his former Gilas Pilipinas teammates Mac Belo, Mike Tolomia, and Carl Cruz around him.
Daquioag had also played with Belo and Tolomia in the PBA D-League in the loaded Phoenix Accelerators squad, which lorded over the Aspirants’ and Foundation Cups back in 2016.
“Mas matagal nilang kasama si Coach Nash, minsan tinatanong ko si Mike kung paano ‘pag ganito ‘to — ‘yung mga situational, kung paano i-handle ni coach Nash. ‘Yun din ‘yung mga inaaral ko pa.”
