Blackwater veteran forward hoping for the best
Blackwater forward Niño ‘KG’ Canaleta hopes that things will be sorted out between Elite management and the PBA Commissioner’s office on the ‘practice session’ the team reportedly held early this week.
Canaleta, a 16-year PBA veteran, said he and other players felt sad at what has transpired the last few days, which led to team owner Dioceldo Sy’s announcement that he is selling the franchise for P150 million.
“Siyempre kung player ka, nakakalungkot na makarinig ng ganon na ibe-benta ang team. Unang papasok sa isip, paano na kaming mga players” said the 6-foot-6 Canaleta when contacted Friday by Manila Bulletin.
“Nakausap ko yung ibang teammates ko, halos pare-parehas ng sentimiyento, malungkot at nag-aalala. Sana maayos pa din... tiwala naman ako na maayos din yan.”
Sy found himself on the receiving end of criticism after he said in a television interview that his team had conducted a workout – a move that has yet to get a green light from the PBA and the Games and Amusement Board despite an earlier verbal approval from the Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.
READ: PBA seeks response to ballclub’s unsanctioned practice
Sy later clarified that he mistakenly used the word “practice” since training sessions are prohibited for all teams including the Elite, although some players are using their allotted time for personal training at the Aero Gym, in Quezon City.
Canaleta bared that he was in fact one of the Blackwater players who grabbed the opportunity to train.
“Pero ako lang, wala akong kasamang iba, walang akong ibang teammates na nakita.”
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial has fined the team P100,000 for conducting an unsanctioned team practice as disclosed by Sy during the TV interview.
Aside from that, the PBA is also looking at reports the team did have 4-on-4 training, which new Elite coach Nash Racela allegedly wasn’t aware of until he saw Sy at the venue for a meeting.
The PBA is also investigating the declaration of the Blackwater owner that the franchise is up for sale.
This latest development of players practicing even without the go signal from Marcial, who is waiting for the formal approval and guidelines from the IATF and GAB, put in peril the league’s attempt to start a ‘new normal’ in training.
The league opened last March 8 with a game between San Miguel Beer and the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok for the 2020-21 Philippine Cup, but due to the coronavirus outbreak, Marcial cancelled all the games and practice sessions of all 12 teams.
READ: Scrimmages eyed next after team practice green light
Canaleta, however, feels that everything will be ironed out soon and that Sy will have a change of heart.
“Kilala ko si boss, malamang nabigla yan noong sinabi niya na ibebenta ang franchise. Also, mahal niya ang team at ang mga players. Hindi niya kaya for sure na pabayaan kami.”