Let me be honest with you—when I first saw Blackwater place Hill on the unrestricted free agent list toward the end of last season’s Philippine Cup, I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. As someone who’s followed the PBA for years, I’ve seen teams make bold moves, but this one felt different. It wasn’t just a roster tweak; it felt like a statement. And it got me thinking: what’s really going on with Blackwater’s performance, and where are they headed from here?
Let’s rewind a bit. Last season, Blackwater finished with a 4–7 record in the Philippine Cup, which, let’s face it, isn’t exactly championship material. But numbers only tell part of the story. Watching their games, I noticed a recurring theme: flashes of brilliance overshadowed by inconsistency. They’d pull off a stunning upset one week, then collapse under pressure the next. Hill’s departure, in my view, wasn’t just about his individual performance—it signaled a shift in the team’s identity. Hill, a versatile guard who averaged around 12 points and 4 assists per game last season, brought energy, but his defensive lapses and occasional decision-making hiccups made him a liability in tight situations. By placing him on the unrestricted free agent list, Blackwater essentially said, "We’re willing to shake things up, even if it means letting go of familiar faces."
Now, I’ve always believed that a team’s future isn’t just shaped by who they let go, but by who they build around. And here’s where it gets interesting. Blackwater has been quietly investing in younger talent—players like Rey Nambatac and Yousef Taha, who’ve shown they can step up when it counts. Nambatac, for instance, put up an impressive 15.3 points per game in the last conference, and his chemistry with Taha in the paint has been a joy to watch. But let’s not sugarcoat it—the team still struggles with depth. Their bench production hovers around 25–30 points per game, which pales in comparison to powerhouses like San Miguel or Ginebra, whose benches often contribute 40-plus. That’s a gap they’ll need to close if they want to contend seriously.
From a strategic standpoint, I think Blackwater’s front office is playing the long game. They’re not just looking for quick fixes; they’re building a culture. And honestly, I respect that. In my years covering the league, I’ve seen too many teams chase short-term success only to fizzle out. Blackwater, by contrast, seems focused on developing a core that can grow together. Take their recent draft picks, for example. They snagged a couple of promising rookies who’ve already shown hustle in preseason workouts. One of them, a 6’5" forward from the UAAP, reportedly dropped 20 points in a scrimmage last month. Now, I’m not saying he’s the next Junemar Fajardo, but it’s these kinds of moves that give me hope.
But let’s talk about the elephant in the room: coaching. Head coach Ariel Vanguardia has been at the helm for a while now, and while I admire his passion, I’ve sometimes questioned his in-game adjustments. There were moments last season where Blackwater held leads going into the fourth quarter, only to see them evaporate due to questionable substitution patterns or defensive schemes. For instance, in that nail-biter against TNT, they blew a 10-point lead in the final five minutes. Stats show they ranked in the bottom three in fourth-quarter efficiency, which is a glaring issue. If I were in Vanguardia’s shoes, I’d prioritize shoring up their end-game execution—maybe through more situational practices or bringing in a veteran presence to steady the ship.
Looking ahead, I’m cautiously optimistic about Blackwater’s future. They’ve got a solid foundation, and if they can address their bench depth and late-game focus, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them crack the top six in the standings next season. But it won’t be easy. The PBA is more competitive than ever, with teams like Magnolia and NLEX loading up on talent. Blackwater needs to leverage their youth while avoiding the pitfall of over-relying on one or two stars. Personally, I’d love to see them make a splash in free agency—maybe target a reliable big man or a seasoned point guard who can mentor the younger guys.
In the end, Hill’s departure might just be a footnote in Blackwater’s larger story. It’s a reminder that in sports, as in life, sometimes you have to let go to move forward. I’ll be keeping a close eye on them this coming season, and if they play their cards right, we could be looking at a team that surprises a lot of people. After all, in the PBA, underdogs have a way of stealing the spotlight when you least expect it.