The Blackwater Bossing have continued their youth movement, officially signing big man James Una, a former San Sebastian Stag and the team's fourth-round pick (No. 38 overall) in the last PBA Draft, to a two-year deal. Una's signing comes immediately after his MPBL stint with Zamboanga concluded, allowing the 6-foot-5 power forward to join the Bossing's roster alongside fellow rookies Dalph Panopio and Jack Cruz-Dumont.
While the Bossing coaching staff, led by Jeff Cariaso, is clearly excited about the energy Una brings—praising his "high motor," defensive intensity, and rebounding ability—the signing has unintentionally highlighted a significant and often painful reality in the league: the difficulty older, proven veteran big men face in securing a PBA contract.
🤔 The Shocking Reality: Veterans Left Behind
The fact that a late-round draft pick like Una is securing a two-year deal when more proven PBA veteran bigs are struggling to make a comeback is quite shocking. Players with years of experience, a history of consistent production, and deep knowledge of PBA systems often find themselves unable to secure a roster spot, relegated to the regional leagues or even retirement.
This dynamic speaks to the PBA's clear shift towards prioritizing youth, upside, and cheaper contracts over veteran reliability. Teams like Blackwater are betting that the potential energy and development of a rookie like Una, even at $6'5"$ (undersized for a PBA power forward), outweigh the known, and often more expensive, commodity of an aging veteran.
📈 The Intrigue: Una’s MPBL Production
Despite the debate over veteran opportunities, Una’s MPBL numbers provide a legitimate reason for Blackwater's investment. Playing for Zamboanga, he averaged 5.9 points on 49% field goal shooting, 5.7 rebounds, and demonstrated exceptional all-around activity.
The most intriguing aspect of his performance is his combined disruptive statistics: 1.1 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. A forward/center who averages over two and a half combined stocks (steals + blocks) per game is a rare and valuable asset. It confirms Coach Cariaso's assessment that Una possesses the high energy and defensive toughness that can translate to the professional level, even if he is used primarily as an energy guy off the bench.
✅ The PBA Truth: Never Wrong to Sign a Big Man
In the rough-and-tumble world of the PBA, where championships are often won in the paint, the underlying principle holds true: choosing to sign a big man is never a wrong decision.
The need for size, rebounding, and interior defense is constant. Blackwater is not only addressing the void at the "small power forward position" as Coach Cariaso mentioned, but they are adding a player who provides two crucial things:
Motor and Defense: Una’s defensive metrics suggest he can immediately contribute as a defender and rebounder—skills that rookies often struggle to display consistently.
Depth for the Long Haul: A two-year commitment to a young big means Blackwater is investing in their future frontline stability, something every PBA team needs to compete against the dominant centers of the league.
While the veteran debate rages on, James Una has earned his spot. The question now is whether his high motor and intriguing defensive activity will justify Blackwater’s faith and establish him as a long-term fixture in the professional league.
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