Bong Ramos ready for new challenges with Blackwater

Bong Ramos (right) during his days at Barako Bull.

Bong Ramos knows that he has his work cut out for him as he is tasked to steer Blackwater to relevance for the remainder of the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

“I know how difficult this job will be, but I’m excited with what’s ahead of us,” he told INQUIRER.net on Tuesday after wrapping up his first practice session at SGS Gym in Quezon City.

The 57-year-old mentor is no stranger to this Elite team, working as ex-coach Leo Isaac’s deputy from 2015 until he took the head coaching job in Stapac Jakarta in Indonesia last year.

READ: Bong Ramos set to replace Leo Isaac as Blackwater coach 

This also won’t be Ramos’ first go-round in the PBA, coaching FedEx, Air21, and Barako Bull prior to this break.

But it will be a whole different endeavor this time as he is counted on to help this Blackwater squad get out of its winless start at 0-3.

Ramos liked what he saw in his first day on the job as they prepared for the Elite’s game against Globalport on Wednesday at Ynares Center in Antipolo.

READ: Blackwater axes Leo Isaac 

“The team’s response has been good. We know it will be a difficult adjustment for us having only one practice session before the game tomorrow. But the team is upbeat,” he said

Although he admittedly feels for the ouster of his predecessor and longtime Mapua teammate Isaac, he has his full focus on this new task ahead of him.

“I’m excited for this new challenge for me and another chapter in my coaching career. God always surprises me,” he said.