MANILA, Philippines—Even with Jeric Fortuna’s departure, Blackwater won’t have a lack of veteran point guard on its roster in its debut in the 2013 PBA D-League Foundation Cup on Thursday.
Allan Mangahas, a standout from Mapua who also suited up with Erase Plantcenta and PC Gilmore in the past, is expected to fill the void Fortuna left at the starting point.
“Allan [Mangahas] will now be in charge at the point,” said head coach Leo Isaac of the 5-foot-10 guard with a good shooting touch from the perimeter.
Fortuna was the lead point guard for the Elite the past two conferences before he made the jump to San Miguel in the Asean Basketball League,
“Pressure ‘yon siyempre, kasi malaking kawalan si Jeric sa team yung leadership niya,” Mangahas told INQUIRER.net. “Pero maasahan nila ibibigay ko na lang best ko every game.”
Isaac is also confident the Elite won’t go astray with Mangahas, who also had quick stint with the Beermen in the ABL, as they clash with Cafe France at the 12 noon showdown at the Ynares Center in Pasig.
“I think the team will be in good hands under the leadership of Allan. He knows his teammates well,” Isaac said.
Thursday’s schedule features another triple bill with newcomer Jumbo Plastic and Boracay Rum seeking to rebound from Tuesday opening day loss.
The Giants takes on fellow newcomer Hogs Breath at 2 p.m. while the Waves collide with Informatics at 4 o’clock.