MANILA, Philippines — Blackwater seeks to end its bad start and hopefully, turn its fortune in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup after parting ways with Jeff Cariaso on Saturday.
Team owner Dioceldo Sy confirmed the development to the Manila Times, with the Bossing naming Pat Aquino as the squad’s interim coach.
Aquino is coming off a long and successful stint with Gilas women’s, which he led to two Southeast Asian Games women’s gold medal since 2019.
The Filipino mentor, who has had a long working relationship with Sy dating back to the Filipino-Chinese businessman’s involvement in the defunct Philippine Basketball League, was instrumental in leading the Gilas women’s team’s promotion to Division A status in Fiba Asia at both the senior and youth levels.
Blackwater hopes to see Aquino replicate the same success he had with Gilas women to the Bossing side that has yet to win a PBA championship since the franchise joined the pro league a little over a decade ago.
Meanwhile, the 53-year-old Cariaso could only lead the Bossing to a 1-4 start in the mid-season conference.
Blackwater has lost its last two games, including a 56-point embarrassment at the hands of unbeaten Rain or Shine just before the Holy Week break.
Cariaso’s three-year coaching tenure has been nothing but a struggle, posting a dismal 17-49 record.
Blackwater had its best stint under Cariaso during the 2024 Governors’ Cup, where he led the team to a 5-5 finish.
Cariaso came on board with Blackwater in 2023 after parting ways with Converge.