Every new season offers a brand new hope for Blackwater, a team that's still in search for respectability and identity in the PBA. Heading into its sixth season, the Elite are pinning their playoff hopes on a roster that's been shaken up once more in another busy offseason.
At the helm starting this season is former TNT coach Nash Racela, a no nonsense bench tactician, who will try to inject a winning mindset to Blackwater.
Additions: Ed Daquiaog, Marion Magat and Yousef Taha (acquired via trade); Maurice Shaw (rookie), Chris Bitoon (rookie), Richard Escoto (rookie), Ron Dennison (acquired via trade)
Subtractions: Anthony Semerad, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Mike Cortez, Gelo Alolino
Holdovers: Mike Tolomia, Diego Dario, Roi Sumang, Don Trollano, Carl Bryan Cruz, Nino Canaleta, Mac Belo, James Sena, Paul Desiderio, Chris Javier, Matt Salem
The lowdown
Blackwater's core of Mac Belo, Mike Tolomia, Carl Bryan Cruz, Don Trollano and Roi Sumang can't be taken lightly. All five players are hungry for recognition and are motivated to help the franchise get over the hump.
But entering the 2020 Philippine Cup, Blackwater and Racela's main problem is how the core will mesh quickly with new recruits led by Daquioag, Magat and Taha, along with rookies Shaw, Bitoon and Escoto.
Belo and Cruz won't be available for at least a month due to knee problems. Daquioag, Magat and Taha joined just a few days ago when the PBA finally approved the three-team deal that also featured TNT and NLEX.
Escoto and Bitoon have been practicing with the team for over a month when they don't have games in the MPBL. Shaw, the bulky 6-feet-9 rookie big man, has been working with the team since entering the PBA as the second overall rookie draft pick in December.
A healthy Blackwater team can pose a serious problem because of its athleticism, youth and perimeter shooting.
Biggest question: With a lot of new faces, how can Racela turn the Elite into a solid crew off the bat?
"We just play with what we have. The challenge really is to bring the best out of all the players and hopefully, this translates to wins," Racela said. "So whoever is available in practice, we just make the most of it."
Belo and Cruz will play major minutes under Racela, since the Blackwater duo played for the new coach and won the UAAP men's basketball during the 2015 season.