MANILA, Philippines — Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy believes the Bossing are signing two thoroughbreds in incoming rookies Sedrick Barefield and DJ Mitchell who he expects to contribute right away to the team’s goal of at least reaching the semifinals heading into the PBA Season 49.
Barefield was selected by the Bossing as the second overall pick in the 2024 PBA Annual Rookie Draft last week, while Mitchell was drafted in the early part of the third round.
Despite reports that San Miguel is offering three-time PBA Scoring champion Terrence Romeo and two other players for Barefield, Sy sees the Filipino-American guard a vital piece in the Bossing’s playoff drive this coming season.
“I’m giving him (Barefield) three years (contract). He’s a centerpiece for our team. He arrives tomorrow (Monday) morning,” Sy told the Manila Times. “Tuesday, they come to my office.”
The Bossing are coming off a 5-17 win-loss record during coach Jeff Cariaso’s first season.
But with two young talents coming in, the Blackwater big boss expects a renaissance of sorts for the franchise that has yet to make the semifinals since it joined the league in 2014.
Barefield could easily fit the bill of a franchise player, with his experience vast, having played for the Oklahoma City Blue in the NBA G League during the 2019-20 season, before seeing action in Lithuania, Greece and Taiwan.
Last year, the 6-foot-2 Barefield also had a brief stint with the Bay Area Dragons in the EASL Champions Week, which he helped to a third place finish.
Meanwhile, Mitchell is expected to get a two-year contract from the Bossing as per Sy after a brief stint with the Manila squad in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
Mitchell averaged over 10 points and three rebounds with Manila.