MANILA, Philippines — Sophomore big man Christian David’s stellar performance has served as a silver lining for Blackwater’s forgettable PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
The Bossing are out of playoff contention already in the season-ending All-Filipino tournament, and won for just the second time in 10 games on Sunday via its 97-82 win against lowly Terrafirma Dyip.
The 6-foot-6 David, Blackwater’s second overall selection in the 2023 PBA Draft, has shown vast improvement in the final conference of the season after averaging 16.4 points and 7.8 rebounds for the team under coach Jeff Cariaso.
The Filipino-American big man credited Cariaso for encouraging him and overseeing his growth in just his second year in the PBA.
“It’s almost 2 years now (he has played in the PBA). I gotta give credit to coach for believing in me and trusting the process,” David said as he churned out a double-double effort of 19 points and 12 rebounds against the Dyip.
“He instilled a lot of confidence in me, and allowed me to commit mistakes. He told me to be consistent every game and that’s what I’ve been working on.” The former Butler University standout’s original rookie contract is set to expire this season, and Cariaso said, undoubtedly, David, along with freshman guard Sedrick Barefield serve as the cornerstones of the Bossing franchise.
“Proud of his work ethic, and how he’s really come on his own on wanting to improve and being the cornerstone for the team. It’s a big responsibility for the young guy,” Cariaso said of David.
“But I put Sed there also because they are the two young guys who (serve) as the cornerstones of this team.
You gotta have to be with them, guide them, coach them through the ups and down,” he added.
Blackwater is out to close the Season 49 with a win when it faces Phoenix in a no-bearing game on Friday.
The Bossing had their best winning percentage at .500 during the Governors’ Cup when they held an even 5-5 record, thanks to high-scoring import George King. Blackwater then, won just three times in the Commissioner’s Cup to post a mediocre 3-8 record.
