Blackwater Stays Undefeated, Gives PBA Teams Notice to Take Them Seriously

Blackwater has put the PBA on notice after staying unbeaten in Group B of the PBA Governors' Cup. Coaches have been calling this group the 'Group of Death', with heavyweights Magnolia, Phoenix, Meralco, Rain or Shine, and Barangay Ginebra as part of the mix. However, it seems this label does not faze Blackwater coach Pat Aquino.

‘I think we’re in the Group of Death. All champion teams are there as well but I think it’s about time that they take a look at Blackwater, That’s our motto right now,’ said Aquino after their 89-81 win over the Hotshots on Friday night.

Aquino's statement is not just empty bravado – Blackwater has indeed been dominating their opponents so far, with their two wins coming against teams they were expected to lose against. Their next challenge will be even tougher, though, as they face off against Phoenix and Meralco in their next two games. But Aquino remains confident that Blackwater has what it takes to take down the big boys.

‘We’ll just stick to our game plan, keep our composure, and I think we can take down any team in the league,’ Aquino said.

The key to Blackwater's success so far has been their ability to adapt to different team styles. Against Magnolia, they managed to contain the Hotshots' star player, Paul Lee, and limit their scoring opportunities. They also managed to keep their cool in the face of intense pressure, never letting their lead slip even when Magnolia made a comeback in the fourth quarter.

This ability to stay calm under pressure is something that Aquino has been drilling into his team, and it seems to be paying off. ‘We keep telling them to stay calm and don’t get pressured by the crowd, by the opponent, by anything,’ Aquino said.

The road ahead will not get any easier for Blackwater, but based on their performance so far, it seems they are ready for whatever comes next. Whether they can sustain their winning streak and make it to the finals remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure – Blackwater is making a statement in the PBA this season.

### The Stats

• Blackwater's highest scorer in their latest win was Renzo Subido with 24 points
• The team also had a strong showing from their imports, led by Ryan Jones with 16 points
• Blackwater's win against Magnolia marked their first victory against a reigning champion team in the Philippine Basketball Association