The Blackwater Elite had to endure a gutsy Alaska Aces side to come out victorious in a thrilling double-overtime match, 111-106, and earn their third straight win, Wednesday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The win improves the Elite’s record to an even 3-3, and also marks the first time in franchise history that they won three straight games. The Aces, meanwhile, have extended their historic slump to 13 games now.
“It was really hard. We really can’t get an easy win here in the PBA,” said a relieved Blackwater head coach Leo Isaac after the lengthy match. “We thought we had an easy ending, then suddenly Alaska came down charging.”
“Good thing we had the presence of mind and the character, and lady luck was on our side,” he added.
Henry Walker, whom Isaac called “Mr. Inspiration” once again, continues to shine for Blackwater as he top-billed with monster numbers of 35 points and 32 rebounds. Mike DiGregorio supplied 17 markers spiked by three treys.
The Aces already had the lead, 106-104, with 1:17 left in the second OT, but their luck ran out as the Elite scored seven straight — capped by Walker’s charities with five-tenths of a second — to walk away with the win.
“The win is special for us because this is the first time that we won three straight since we entered the league,” added Isaac of the triumph.
The Elite’s frontcourt players played stellar in the huge victory. Bambam Gamalinda supplied 15 points and 11 rebounds, while JP Erram posted a double-double of his own with 13 markers and 13 caroms.
Down huge, 81-70 approaching the six-minute mark of the final period, the Aces unloaded a 15-4 blitz punctuated by Jvee Casio’s pull-up triple off a screen to send the match into a deadlock at 85 with 2:49 remaining.
Walker’s split and booming trey gave the Elite another favorable lead, 89-85, but the Milkmen clawed back once more and tied the game again at 91 after Simon Enciso nailed a one-hander with just 22.4 seconds on the clock.
Blackwater had chances to break the tie, but Roi Sumang and Walker missed their respective shots. Alaska also tried their luck with 2.6 ticks left to play, but Enciso’s trey from the right wing missed badly, sending the game to the first OT.
Both squads played slow in OT1. But Walker sent his side up, 97-95, after attacking the rim from the post, but his counterpart LaDontae Henton nailed an elbow jumper with 12.5 ticks left to send the match into another five minutes.
Henton paced the Aces with 31 points on 28 shots alongside 10 boards, while Casio backed him up with 25 points, five caroms, and six assists.
Blackwater won the rebounding battle, 80-60, but turnovers were their issue, as they committer 22, far from Alaska’s eight. However, the Aces had 30 fouls, which led to 33 free throw attempts for the Elite.
Blackwater will look sustain their run versus the TNT Katropa next Wednesday, August 30, 4:15 PM still at the MoA Arena. Alaska will try to end their skid against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Saturday, August 26, 5:00 PM Hoops Dome in Cebu.
The Scores:
Blackwater 111 – Walker 35, DiGregorio 17, Gamalinda 15, Erram 13, Canaleta 9, Cruz 8, Pinto 6, Sumang 4, Sena 2, Miranda 2, Aguilar 0, K. Pascual 0.
Alaska 106 – Henton 31, Casio 25, Enciso 11, Banchero 10, Thoss 10, Manuel 6, Baclao 6, Galliguez 3, Exciminiano 2, Mendoza 2, Hontiveros 0, Racal 0.
Quarterscores: 25-13, 44-40, 68-60, 91-91, 97-97, 111-106.
