Blackwater ousts Nash Racela as head coach, deploys Ariel Vanguardia

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

After setting the record for the most consecutive losses in PBA history with 19 straight, the Blackwater Bossing immediately started their off-season revamp with a major head coaching change.

Blackwater decided to replace head coach Nash Racela with Ariel Vanguardia, the Phoenix Fuelmasters’ former head tactician way back in 2017 and was also an assistant for Talk N Text and Barako during his young career in the league.

Blackwater owner Dioceldo Sy and team governor Siliman Sy confirmed their recent change and are hoping things change for the better after a disappointing campaign in the ongoing PBA season.

When asked about his expectations after their coaching staff move, Dioceldo said: “Definitely it is going to be better than 19 straight losses.”

Blackwater had the chance to end their 18-game losing skid during their game against an undermanned Meralco Bolts team after trimming the 29-point lead to just five with two minutes left in the last quarter.

However, Blackwater wasn’t able to withstand Meralco’s offensive spree and rallied back with their own shooting led by Ilonggo Anjo Caram and veteran big man Raymond Almazan.

After the disappointing loss, Blackwater printed their name in the PBA history books as the team with the worst losing streak ever.