Cariaso pinning hopes on rookies

Rookies James Kwekuteye and Archie Concepcion are tipped to pump life into Blackwater's flickering campaign in the Commissioner's Cup of the Philippine Basketball Association.

Bossing coach Jeffrey Cariaso believes that the newcomers, together with their prized recruit in 6-foot-6 Christian David, will be counted upon as they make their long, steep climb to the playoffs of the season-opening conference.

Kwekuteye, the former San Beda University hotshot who was taken with the 20th pick in the recent Rookie Draft, signed a two-year contract early this week and will be eligible to play for the Bossing after his campaign with the Bacoor Strikers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

Concepcion, the 37th overall pick, for his part, played for the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, who trounced the Strikers in the MPBL Fifth Season best-of-three finals series.

Both Kwekuteye and Concepcion will be suiting up against TNT Tropang Giga on Friday after the Bossing declined the contract renewal of Rashawn McCarthy and relegated JVee Casio to the reserve list.

"We're very excited to have James Kwekuteye and Archie Concepcion," Cariaso said in a Viber message. "They will give us both added depth in the guard position."

Blackwater needs youthful energy very badly.

They have lost six games in a row with their lone victory coming at the expense of lowly Converge, 103-84, last 8 November.

With that, the Bossing are in dire need of a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Cariaso said the rookies have what it takes to turn things around.

"Right now, our focus is to get them up to speed with things. Hopefully, to get them ready for the next game," Cariaso said.

"I'm hoping sooner than later, they'll be able to adjust quickly, but these rookies will definitely help turn around our fortunes."