Blackwater Bossing

The Blackwater Bossing is a professional basketball team owned by Ever Bilena, Inc. that is playing in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) beginning in the 2014–2015 season. The franchise started as one of the founding teams in the PBA Developmental League. It transferred to the PBA after being accepted as an expansion team. The team is named after Ever Bilena's brand of men's fragrances.

Blackwater Bossing
2023–24 Blackwater Bossing season
Blackwater Bossing logo
Founded2014
HistoryBlackwater Elite (2014–2021)
Blackwater Bossing (2021–present)
Team colorsRed, black, white
     
CompanyEver Bilena
Board governorSilliman Sy
Team managerJoel Co
Head coachJeffrey Cariaso
OwnershipDioceldo S. Sy
Affiliation(s)Blackwater Bossing Red President
Retired numbers1 (11)
Light uniform jersey
Team colours
Light uniform
Dark uniform jersey
Team colours
Dark uniform

History

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Blackwater was one of the founding teams in the PBA Developmental League (PBA D-League). It won one PBA D-League championship. The team's predecessor was the Blu Detergent team[1] in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), best known as the first Philippine basketball team of Asi Taulava.[2]

On April 10, 2014, Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc., along with Manila North Tollways Corporation (NLEX Road Warriors) and Columbian Autocar Corporation (Kia Sorento), were approved by the PBA Board of Governors to become expansion teams in the PBA.[3] Upon entry to the PBA, the three teams will select players from a dispersal draft in July consisting of unprotected current PBA players and free agents.[4] They will also pick rookies in the 2014 PBA draft in August.[5]

Blackwater and the NLEX Road Warriors became the first franchises to enter the PBA from its D-League.

With the help of Gilas player Marcus Douthit, Blackwater got their first win in the 2015 PBA Commissioner's Cup against San Miguel Beermen, 80–77.

In August 2020, it was reported that the team would change its name to "Blackwater Bossing".[6] The new branding, including the team's logo and jersey design, was unveiled in September 2020.[7]

International stint

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On July 12, 2018, Blackwater Elite completed a six-game sweep of the Pacific Caesar 50th Anniversary Pro Tournament in Surabaya, Indonesia.[8]

The following week, they represented the Philippines along with NLEX Road Warriors in the Asia League's Summer Super 8 Invitational Tournament held in Macau.[9]

Current roster

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PlayersCoaches
Pos.#POBNameHeightWeightDOB (YYYY–MM–DD)From
G0 Ilagan, RK5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)150 lb (68 kg)1997–04–03San Sebastian
G1 DiGregorio, Michael (FA)6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)185 lb (84 kg)1991–12–12McKendree
G2 Concepcion, Archie (R / FA)6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)189 lb (86 kg)Arellano
G/F4 Suerte, Rey6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)175 lb (79 kg)1994–10–04UE
G5 Tungcab, Jaydee6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)196 lb (89 kg)1997–05–05Philippines
G6 Casio, JVee (C)5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)175 lb (79 kg)1986–09–01De La Salle
G7 Kwekuteye, James (R)6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)182 lb (83 kg)1998–08–15San Beda
F/C8 Guinto, Bradwyn6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)220 lb (100 kg)1991–10–20San Sebastian
F/C9 Chua, Justin6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)232 lb (105 kg)1989–07–13Ateneo
C13 Jopia, Clifford (R)6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)220 lb (100 kg)San Beda
G/F15 Yap, James6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)192 lb (87 kg)1982–02–15UE
F18 Rosario, Troy6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)198 lb (90 kg)1992–01–20National-U
F23 Escoto, Richard6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)204 lb (93 kg)1997–03–21Far Eastern
F25 David, Christian (R)6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)215 lb (98 kg)1998–06–19Butler
G27 Nambatac, Rey5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)1994–01–27Letran
G28 Ayonayon, Mike   (IN)6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)170 lb (77 kg)1992–12–08Philippine Christian
F31 Sena, James6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)225 lb (102 kg)1988–08–31José Rizal
F33 Hill, Tyrus6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)185 lb (84 kg)1996–03–20De La Salle
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Team manager



Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (I) Import
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • (R) Rookie
  • (3x3) Assigned to 3x3 team
  • Injured

Roster



Players

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Imports

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Retired numbers

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Blackwater Bossing retired number
PlayerPositionTenure
11Gilbert BulawanPF/ C2014–2016[a]

Coaches

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  1. Leo Isaac (2014–fired 2018)
  2. Bong Ramos (2018–fired 2019)
  3. Aries Dimaunahan (2019 as interim coach)
  4. Nash Racela (2019–fired 2020)
  5. Ariel Vanguardia (2021–2023 as interim coach)
  6. Jeffrey Cariaso (2023–present)

Season-by-season records

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Records from the 2023–24 PBA season:
Conf.Team nameElimination roundPlayoffs
FinishWLPCTStageResults
COMBlackwater Bossing11th/12110.091Did not qualify
PHI10th/1247.364
Total elimination round517.2270 playoff appearance
Total playoffs000 semifinals appearance
Total 2023–24517.2270 championship
Total franchise66197.2510 Championships

*one-game playoffs
**team had the twice-to-beat advantage

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Blackwater set to join PBA as 11th franchise". Philstar.com. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  2. ^ Richard Dy (September 16, 2014). "Expansion ballclub Blackwater Sports keen to show it belongs ahead of PBA debut". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Archived from the original on October 11, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  3. ^ "PBA approves entry of new teams NLEX, Kia, Blackwater for next season". InterAksyon.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  4. ^ "PBA readies dispersal draft". Philstar.com. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  5. ^ "solarsportsdesk.ph". Solarsportsdesk.ph. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  6. ^ Goodbye, Elite. Hello, Bossing as Blackwater to adopt new moniker, Gerry Ramos, spin.ph, August 1, 2020
  7. ^ From the wires (September 18, 2020). "Blackwater Bossing unveil new logo ahead of PBA bubble". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  8. ^ "Blackwater sweeps Pacific Caesar Basketball Pro tourney". Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  9. ^ Lintag, Paul (July 13, 2018). "SUPER 8: PBA's NLEX, Blackwater, set for Macau invitational". ABS-CBN Sports. Archived from the original on July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  10. ^ Blackwater set to retire jersey of fallen Gilbert Bulawan Archived July 6, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Rey Joble, Interaksyon.com, July 4, 2016
  11. ^ Blackwater gives tribute to late player Gilbert Bulawan after retiring jersey no.11, Gerry Ramos, SPIN.ph, July 16, 2016