Reil Cervantes shines in Blackwater return

Reil Cervantes. PBA Images

MANILA, Philippines — Forward Reil Cervantes made his first game back with Blackwater on Wednesday.

Cervantes, who was acquired in a trade with the Kia Carnival in exchange for Alex Nuyles on Tuesday, starred for the Elite in the PBA D-League and led the franchise to a finals appearance.

“Kia wanted to get Alex Nuyles and we asked that we get Reil Cervantes so both teams agreed,” Blackwater head coach Leo Isaac. “For the game that Reil Cervantes played for us today, it seems like we had a good deal.”

Cervantes scored 13 points and had four rebounds and three assists in close 30 minutes of action helping Blackwater beat Meralco, 84-72, to end its Commissioner’s Cup campaign on a positive note.

READ: Blackwater beats Meralco, ends conference on winning note

The 28-year-old Cervantes said he’s very happy to be back with the same team he suited up for that paved his way back into the PBA.

“Masayang masaya kasi [Blackwater] yung former team ko bago ako umakyat sa pangarap ko,” said Cervantes, who was selected ninth overall by Barangay Ginebra in the 2011 Draft.

“Nung nalaman ko na dito ako mapupunta sa Blackwater tuwang tuwa ako dahil yung coaching staff, yung mga boss, management kilala ko at winelcome nila ako talaga. Sabik sila na makabalik ako.”

Cervantes just practiced with Blackwater on Tuesday and Isaac said training session felt very familiar having the former Far Eastern University standout on board.

“He played for us in the D-League so when he practiced yesterday there was like this welcome song being tendered by his teammates,” Isaac said. “He’s not new to us and he’s not even feeling his way in.”

Cervantes was a star in his only conference with Blackwater and Isaac hopes he could be that same player in his return to the Elite.

“He’s been an underrated player for quite sometime and maybe playing for Blackwater he can blossom into a real star.”