PBA: Jeff Cariaso parts ways with Blackwater, Pat Aquino named interim head coach

Head coach Jeff Cariaso has parted ways with Blackwater, with Pat Aquino named interim head coach of the Bossing.

The development was confirmed by Cariaso on Saturday.

“Effective today, I conclude my tenure as head coach of Blackwater Bossing, following discussions with management and a mutual decision to move in different directions,” Cariaso said in an Instagram story.

“I would like to clear any speculation that I resigned. I have always believed that the more demanding the path, the greater the responsibility to stay the course. I have always approached my work with that conviction, grounded in competitiveness and character.”

Cariaso also described his stint with Blackwater as “one of the most challenging assignments of my coaching career,” but said he remained committed with a clear intention.

“I stand by the work we put in, the standards we upheld, and the professionalism we maintained throughout.”

He then thanked the team’s ownership and management for their support.

Cariaso handled the Bossing from 2023 to 2026. In the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup, the team has recorded one win and four losses under his watch.

According to the PBA website, Aquino handled the team’s practice on Saturday ahead of their match against TNT on Tuesday.

Aquino, also a Blackwater assistant coach, recently stepped down as head coach of the Gilas Pilipinas women’s team, which he handled from 2014 to 2026. During that span, he steered the squad to multiple gold medals and one silver medal for the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games.

He also coached the National University Lady Bulldogs from 2012 to 2022, winning six consecutive titles from 2014 to 2019.

—JKC, GMA News