IT didn't come as a surprise that Dalph Panopio ended up being picked and eventually signed by Blackwater for the coming PBA Season 50.
The Fil-Italian guard admitted feeling the connection with the Bossing right away the moment he joined the team in a pre-draft workout for coach Jeff Cariaso.
"It wasn't having a practice, it was more like having fun. I was enjoying the practice. So it's something I was happy about and I'm really excited. And that's something I feel like it's important because you want to go to practice that you're happy about," said Panopio of his first-hand experience working out with Cariaso's system.
Panopio did land with the Bossing, having been selected at no. 3 overall after Geo Chiu of Terrafirma and Juan Gomez De Liano of Converge during Draft day at the Mall of Asia Music Hall.
It was a no-brainer then when the franchise signed him to a three-year contract five days later in what owner Dioceldo Sy and management see as forming Blackwater's 'dynamic trio' together with Cedric Barefield and Christian David, who also signed a two-year contract extension.
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"He looks great and a very smart player," said Sy of the 25-year-old Panopio, a former part of the Batang Gilas program along with the likes of Kai Sotto, AJ Edu, Carl Tamayo, among others.
Panopio referred to his Blackwater teammates as 'great people and great players.'
"They were there during my tryouts, helping me, wishing me well," he recalled of the experience.
"So I feel like I really fit the system. I'm super happy and grateful to be in this position right now. It gives me more motivation and try to be as much ready as I can."
