As I settled into my seat at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum last Friday night, watching Blackwater Bossing take the court at 7:30 p.m., I couldn't help but marvel at how far this team has come. I've been covering PBA games for over a decade now, and what we're witnessing from Blackwater this season is nothing short of remarkable. The transformation from perennial underdogs to legitimate contenders has been one of the most compelling stories in Philippine basketball, and it's being driven by some truly exceptional talent that deserves closer examination.
Let me start with Rey Nambatac, because honestly, how can you not? The guy's been absolutely electric this season, and Friday's game against TNT was just another showcase of why he's become the heart of this Blackwater squad. I've tracked his progress since his college days, and what strikes me most is how his game has matured. He's not just scoring - though he did drop 24 points in that Friday matchup - but he's become the team's primary playmaker too. The way he controls the tempo reminds me of some of the great PBA point guards I've covered throughout my career. His basketball IQ seems to have jumped to another level this season, and it shows in those crucial moments when the game is on the line. What really stood out to me during that July 4th game was his decision-making in the fourth quarter - making the right pass, taking the right shots, and essentially willing his team to victory against a tough TNT squad.
Then there's Troy Rosario, who I've always believed was one of the most underrated big men in the league. This season, he's proving exactly why I've been so high on him for years. Standing at 6'7", he brings this unique combination of size and skill that you don't often see in the PBA. Against TNT, he put up 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, but numbers alone don't capture his impact. What impressed me most was his defensive presence - he altered at least five shots that I counted, and his ability to stretch the floor with his outside shooting creates so many problems for opposing defenses. I remember talking to a scout friend who told me Rosario had been working extensively on his three-point shot during the offseason, and it's clearly paying off. He's shooting around 38% from beyond the arc this season, which is just phenomenal for a player of his size.
But you know who really caught my eye during that Friday night game? RK Ilagan. Now here's a player who's been quietly putting together a breakout season. His performance against TNT - 16 points with 4 three-pointers - was just the latest in a string of impressive outings. What I love about Ilagan's game is his fearlessness. He's not afraid to take big shots, and his ball-handling skills have improved dramatically since last season. I've noticed he's been spending extra time after practices working on his handles, and it shows in how confidently he navigates pick-and-roll situations now. His development has been crucial for Blackwater because it gives them another reliable scoring option beyond Nambatac and Rosario.
The chemistry between these three has been fascinating to watch develop throughout the season. During timeouts in that July 4th game, you could see them constantly communicating, making adjustments, and supporting each other. That kind of cohesion doesn't happen overnight - it's built through countless hours of practice and shared experiences. I spoke with Coach Jeff Cariaso briefly before the season started, and he emphasized building what he called "basketball relationships" among his key players. Well, it's clearly working. The way Nambatac and Rosario run their two-man game is becoming one of the most effective combinations in the league, and Ilagan's ability to space the floor makes everything work more smoothly.
What often gets overlooked in discussions about Blackwater's success is their defensive improvement. Last season, they were giving up around 98 points per game - this season, that's down to about 91. That's a significant drop, and it's largely due to the commitment of their key players on that end of the floor. Rosario's rim protection has improved, Nambatac has become more disciplined in his perimeter defense, and Ilagan's quick hands have generated numerous fast-break opportunities. Against TNT, they forced 18 turnovers, which directly led to 22 points. Those are winning numbers, and they reflect a team that understands defense wins championships.
From my perspective covering the league, Blackwater's rise this season represents something bigger than just individual talent. It's about building the right culture and putting players in positions where they can succeed. Too often in the PBA, we see teams trying to assemble superstar rosters without considering how the pieces fit together. Blackwater has taken the opposite approach - they've identified their core players and built around them systematically. Nambatac, Rosario, and Ilagan complement each other perfectly, and the supporting cast understands their roles clearly. That Friday night game at Smart-Araneta Coliseum was a perfect example of this - when TNT made their runs, Blackwater didn't panic. They stuck to their system, trusted their key players, and executed when it mattered most.
Looking ahead, I genuinely believe Blackwater has what it takes to make a deep playoff run this season. The growth we've seen from their top players isn't just a hot streak - it's sustainable improvement built on fundamental skills and basketball intelligence. Nambatac has emerged as a legitimate MVP candidate, Rosario has solidified himself as one of the premier big men in the league, and Ilagan has proven he belongs among the PBA's rising stars. Their performance last Friday was just another chapter in what's becoming one of the most exciting stories in recent PBA history. As someone who's watched hundreds of games at Smart-Araneta Coliseum over the years, I can tell you there's something special brewing with this Blackwater team, and it's being driven by these incredible athletes who have truly dominated the court this season.