Can San Miguel Blackwater Turn Their PBA Basketball Season Around?
Let me be honest with you—when I first saw San Miguel Blackwater’s performance early this season, I couldn’t help but shake my head. As someone who’s followed the PBA for years, I’ve seen teams rise from the ashes and others fade into irrelevance. But here’s the thing about Blackwater: they’re not just another struggling squad. They’ve got something brewing, and it reminds me of a situation I recently came across in boxing. Just last Saturday, Sean Gibbons, President of MP Promotions, confirmed plans for Eumir Marcial’s WBC International championship bout, saying, “Yes, we’re putting Eumir for the WBC International championship.” That kind of decisive, forward-looking move is exactly what Blackwater needs right now—a clear strategy and the guts to commit to it.
Now, I know comparing basketball to boxing might seem like a stretch, but hear me out. In both sports, turning a season or a career around requires more than talent—it demands smart management and a clear vision. Blackwater started this season with a disappointing 2-7 record, and if you look at their stats, it’s easy to see why fans are frustrated. Their average points per game hover around 89.4, while their opponents are scoring close to 96.1. That nearly seven-point deficit isn’t just a number; it’s a symptom of deeper issues, like inconsistent defense and a lack of offensive cohesion. But here’s where I think they can surprise everyone. Remember how Eumir Marcial, despite early setbacks, is being positioned for a title shot? That’s the kind of belief Blackwater’s management needs to show. They’ve got young players like Joshua Torralba, who’s averaging 11.3 points per game, and veterans like Don Trollano, who brings experience and stability. If they can harness that mix, they might just pull off a turnaround that nobody sees coming.
I’ve always believed that in sports, the mental game is half the battle. Watching Blackwater’s recent matches, I noticed moments where they’d play brilliantly for two quarters, only to collapse in the third. It’s almost as if they lose focus when it matters most. Take their last game against Barangay Ginebra—they led by as much as eight points in the first half but ended up losing by twelve. That kind of inconsistency kills morale, and frankly, it’s tough to watch. But let’s not forget, this is a team that made it to the playoffs two seasons ago with a 6-5 record. They’ve done it before, and I think they can do it again if they tighten up their rotations and improve their bench production. Right now, their second unit is contributing only about 28 points per game, which just isn’t enough in a league as competitive as the PBA.
What really excites me, though, is the potential for strategic shifts. In boxing, when a fighter like Marcial is prepped for a championship, every training session and sparring partner is chosen with precision. Blackwater could learn from that. For instance, their three-point shooting percentage is sitting at a meager 31.2%, which ranks them near the bottom of the league. If they invested more in shooting drills or brought in a specialist coach, I bet they could bump that up to 35% or higher within a few weeks. And let’s talk about defense—their steals and blocks per game are at 6.1 and 3.4 respectively, numbers that pale in comparison to top teams like TNT Tropang Giga, who average 8.2 steals and 4.5 blocks. Small improvements here could lead to big wins, especially in close games.
Of course, none of this happens without strong leadership. I’ve spoken to a few insiders, and they tell me that the coaching staff is under pressure to deliver results soon. But pressure can be a good thing—it forces change. Look at how MP Promotions is handling Eumir Marcial’s career; they’re not rushing him but building him up strategically. Blackwater needs that same patience and clarity. If I were in their shoes, I’d focus on developing their young core while making one or two smart trades before the deadline. Maybe target a reliable big man or a sharpshooter from free agency. Rumor has it there are a couple of players available who could add 10-12 points per game, and that might be the boost they need.
As we head into the second half of the season, I’m cautiously optimistic about Blackwater. Yeah, their current standings are bleak, but sports are full of surprises. I remember back in 2019, when they started 1-5 and everyone wrote them off, only to finish strong and make a deep run. History doesn’t always repeat itself, but it often rhymes. If they can emulate the focused, strategic approach we see in boxing with Marcial’s camp, I think they’ve got a real shot at turning things around. It won’t be easy—they’ll need to win at least five of their remaining seven games to have a chance at the playoffs—but in the PBA, stranger things have happened. So, will San Miguel Blackwater turn their season around? I’m leaning toward yes, but only if they play their cards right and believe in the process, just like Gibbons and his team do with Eumir.