LIKE any parting of ways, it's something Blackwater had a difficult time dealing with.
The team after all, not just let go a coach in Leo Isaac, but a close friend as well, whose association with the organization goes a long way back.
"Mahirap kasi our relationship goes beyond coach and management," said Blackwater representative to the league board Siliman Sy, who is actually a godfather to Isaac's oldest daughter.
"And our relationship has gone back during the PBL and D-League days," he noted.
Isaac was the winning coach when Blackwater stunned heavily favored NLEX during the 2013 D-League Foundation Cup Finals, a year before the team took its act to the pro league as one of two expansion franchises.
Isaac's former deputy and Mapua teammate Bong Ramos was named as the Elite's new head coach.
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Sy said there was really nothing personal in management's decision to have a coaching change especially after the Elite, one of the teams expected to do well in the mid-season tournament, went limping out of the gates by dropping their first three games.
Following a 93-74 loss to Alaska on Sunday, management had no course but to take action.
"Nag usap kami ni coach Leo and it's just simply work. Trabaho lang ito," said Sy, who was the one tasked to tell Isaac of management's decision when they met one-on-one at the Blackwater office on Monday.
Isaac still has six months remaining in his contract with the franchise, which Sy said is bound to be honored by management.
"We will abide by our obligation," he said. "And at the same time, it will also give him time and opportunity to seek other jobs that might come his way."
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The Blackwater executive and brother to team owner Dioceldo Sy wishes Isaac well.
"We want to retain the friendship," he said. "Hopefully in the future when our paths crossed again, we will still be friends." (RG)
