‘All I want is to win,’ says Blackwater’s top pick Banal

Raphael Banal (middle) with PBA players Rich Alvarez and LA Tenorio during the 2016 PBA Draft Combine. PBA IMAGES

Raphael Banal, a 6-foot-2 point guard who will be made the top overall pick by Blackwater in the PBA Draft today, seems to be a perfect fit for the team wanting to get out of the doldrums in its third season.

“All I can say is I always go all out to win,” Banal told the Inquirer Saturday while getting a haircut as he prepares to take the stage at Robinson’s Place in Ermita and become the second No. 1 pick in the rookie proceedings this season.

Blackwater also tabbed Mac Belo from the separate Gilas Cadet Draft on Thursday, giving the Elite two potential cornerstones as they try to turn their fortunes around starting with the Philippine Cup on Nov. 20.

“Blackwater is not winning, yet. But the team has a lot of potential,” Banal said. “I will come to that team with a lot of winning attitude, hopefully add some sort of beef in there and help (Mac) Belo and (Art) Dela Cruz.”

The 24-year-old Banal played collegiate ball for two schools in the United States and left behind what was a promising high school and national youth career where he was considered to be at par with Keifer Ravena.

He intends to make up for lost time with the Elite but as a far better overall player than just the scorer this country knee before he left in 2012.

“My biggest asset has been my outside shot, my scoring. I seem to have always had the knack to score,” Banal said. “But after (four years in the US), I’ve learned to become a better (point) guard looking to always find the right plays for my team first.”

“The honeymoon period is over,” owner Dioceldo Sy told the after confirming their choice of Banal.

“Now we have a formidable team,” Sy went on, admitting his excitement of kissing the doormat image days of the Elite goodbye. “We are targeting to make at least the quarterfinals each conference.

“Our modest goal for the coming season is to finish either seventh or eighth overall,” Sy continued. “If we can go higher, then it would be better.”