PBA: Jeff Cariaso named new Blackwater coach as Ariel Vanguardia exits
Former Converge coach Jeff Cariaso. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—After a forgettable PBA Governors’ Cup run, Blackwater made sure to make big moves before the next season arrives.
The Bossing started their revamp with a facelift of the coaching staff, booting Ariel Vanguardia out of the head coaching post and appointing Jeff Cariaso as replacement on Monday.
“He’s tough, he’s experienced, and he’s ready to take Blackwater Bossing to new heights,” the team said via Facebook post.
“Blackwater Bossings are about to go on a wild ride with Coach Cariaso leading the way.”
News of Vanguardia and Blackwater parting ways circulated as early as last week but both parties held a meeting on Saturday where an agreement was met.
Cariaso, on the other hand, will have another seat as coach since being let go by Converge.
Former Blackwater coach Ariel Vanguardia. –PBA IMAGES
Blackwater had an abysmal run in the Governors’ Cup with a 1-10 win-loss record.
In the All-Filipino Cup, however, the Bossing made the playoffs with a 5-6 card only to falter against eventual champion San Miguel in the quarterfinals.
Luck continued to slip away from Vanguardia and the Bossings in the Commissioners’ Cup as they bounced out of playoff contention with a lowly 3-9 record.
Overall, Vanguardia tallied a 10-36 card as the head mentor for Blackwater.
Cariaso will officially begin his duty for the Bossing after the Governors’ Cup, which will have Ginebra and TNT close it out on a seven-game Finals series, starting this Easter Sunday.
