Blackwater tests new point guard vs Cafe France

Games Tomorrow
(Ynares Arena)
12 nn – Café France vs Blackwater Sports
2 p.m. – Jumbo Plastic vs Hogs Breath
4 p.m. – Boracay Rum vs Informatics


MANILA, Philippines -- Blackwater Sports will have a new court general when it makes its debut in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup against Café France tomorrow at the Ynares Arena.

“Allan [Mangahas] will now be in charge at the point,” said Blackwter Sports coach Leo Isaac, confident the 5-foot-10 guard with a good shooting touch from the perimeter deserves the lead role.

Jeric Fortuna ran the point guard spot for the Elite the past two conferences but the former UST Tiger opted to try his luck in the Asian Basketball League this year.

“I think the team will be in good hands under the leadership of Allan. He knows his teammates well,” Isaac said.

To maximize Mangahas’ quickness, Isaac said they will test their fast-paced game in their scheduled 12 o’clock showdown against Café France, a team that had lost a couple of key players during the two-week in-between conference break.

Tomorrow’s schedule features another triple bill with newcomer Jumbo Plastic and Boracay Rum seeking to rebound from Tuesday opening day loss.

The Giants takes on fellow newcomer Hogs Breath at 2 p.m. while the Waves collide with Informatics at 4 o’clock.

Jumbo Plastic got a rude welcome from Fruitas on Tuesday, losing to the Shakers, 56-81, while the Waves bowed to Cebuana Lhuillier, 66-68.

A string of losses late in the elimination round spoiled Café France’s playoff bid last conference and coach Egay Macaraya is uncertain if the team could redeem itself following some changes in the line-up.

“I really have no idea right now. We’re a new and young team,” said Macaraya, who completed his lineup just in time for the opening of the conference “because we can’t find recruits who would like to play for us.”

Shooters Roger Pogoy and Alvin Padilla have signed with Fruitas and Cebuana, respectively, and their absence will surely hurt Café France offensively. Pogoy averaged 12 points a game while Padilla is good for 6.5 points an outing last conference.