Following a whirlwind schedule that put Blackwater through three games in just five days, the Bossing now find themselves in a rare stretch of respite.

Coach Jeff Cariaso and his charges are using the break to rest and recuperate. The former pro is also taking the downtime to take stock of what he still believes is progress.

Blackwater wasn’t able to pull out a single win throughout that gauntlet, but Cariaso said he is beginning to see his team find its footing.

There were bright spots for Blackwater during that grind. Christian David impressed against Meralco, Sedrick Barefield showed up against Ginebra, and RK Ilagan delivered twice that week. The Bossing even came close to upsetting the crowd favorites, if not for a late game-winner by Japeth Aguilar.

“There were several moments that made me proud,” he told the Inquirer on Wednesday. “The idea of preparing for different opponents, then shifting gears quickly while staying sharp for every game? That’s where I felt we grew the most. And I’m proud of the team for that.”

Dead last

Blackwater is currently dead last in the race with a 1-7 win-loss mark. But Cariaso thinks that progress isn’t measured exclusively by the numbers in the standings.

Progress, the PBA great said, is also about creating habits—the kind he hopes will last.

“(The stretch) helped us to understand the importance of consistency,” he said, adding that Blackwater continues to aspire to become a defensive team.

“It takes more than effort. It takes attention to detail and execution. You can’t afford to take plays off because teams (in the PBA) are too good, and they will punish you when they get a chance.”

Blackwater hasn’t reached the playoffs in two seasons. But it is not afraid to declare that it has a lofty ambition. Cariaso said the goal is for Blackwater to win a PBA title, but he was just as quick to acknowledge where the squad really stands.

“Right now, we’re still not a playoff contender,” he said.

Then came what he hopes are actionable steps.

“That’s a level we want to reach consistently. We want to make the playoffs in every conference as we need the experience to get to our main goal,” he explained.

“We may not be close, but I think we have taken big strides the past year, and I believe we’re on the right path,” he added.

Blackwater doesn’t return to action until June 6, when it battles Grand Slam-seeking TNT—a game that may look a little different should the reported trade to land deadshot Jordan Heading be approved.

Until then, Cariaso hopes that his crew keeps their heads down and eyes forward.