By Waylon Galvez
Blackwater owner Dioceldo Sy has appointed Ariel Vanguardia to two important positions as the former PBA mentor now holds the position of sports consultant and alternate governor of the Elite in the board.
Sy confirms this as the 46-year-old Vanguardia will help the franchise in both basketball and management decisions. He last called the shots for Phoenix Fuel in the PBA.
“Ariel is our sports consultant and alternate governor,” said Sy in a text message to Bulletin-Tempo.
Vanguardia took over from the position previously held by Wilbert Loa as the alternate governor, whose function will represent the team during board meeting or other functions whenever governor Siliman Sy – brother of Dioceldy Sy – is not available.
As consultant, Vanguardia is expected to provide support to the coaching staff of Blackwater led by its mentor Bong Ramos, as well as other sports activities of Sy’s companies including Blackwater, Ever Bilena and iECO, a waste management incinerator.
Last month, Vanguardia called the shots for the iECO Green Warriors during the Terrific 12 Asia League in Macau.
Vanguardia said that with his experience as coach he hopes to help the team, currently in the playoff race with the Elite sporting a 6-2 record in the ongoing Governors’ Cup.
“I’m here to support and help the team. Part of that is in recruiting import for reinforced conferences, and to find tournaments abroad for the team during the off-season,” said Vanguardia.
