Following their first loss of the conference two nights ago, the Blackwater Elite immediately bounced back, surviving the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 98-92, in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Sunday evening at Ynares Center, Antipolo City.
At the start of the fourth quarter, the Elite saw their 16-point lead become just four twice inside the final 21.2 seconds. Fortunately, guard Mike DiGregorio calmly canned his freebies with 8.9 ticks left in the game to seal the victory.
Blackwater have improved to 4-1.
“The challenge today was how well do we focus and how well do we bounce back from a loss. That was the challenge to our players. And tonight they played really well as a team,” said Blackwater interim head coach Aris Dimaunahan.
“The thing na gusto naming mangyari, nangyari. They played great defense tonight, they only allowed Rain or Shine to score ninety-two points. Sa mga una naming games, we’re allowing more than a hundred points. The players defended well,” the youthful mentor continued.
Allein Maliksi set the pace for the Elite with 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting, along with four rebounds and two assists.
DiGregorio and Ray Parks finished with 16 points apiece, on combined 16-for-16 shooting from the free throw line.
Alex Stepheson filled up the stat sheet, producing 13 points, 20 rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block each in the win. Roi Sumang was all across the board as well with 11 markers, seven boards, three dimes, and three steals.
Denzel Bowles had 27 points, six rebounds, and a steal to lead Rain or Shine, who have fallen to 0-2.
James Yap finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Mark Borboran and Ed Daquioag chimed in 10 markers each in the loss.
Blackwater will next face the NLEX Road Warriors on Saturday, June 8 still at Ynares Center. Meanwhile, Rain or Shine will look for their first win versus defending champs Barangay Ginebra on Friday, June 7, at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
Blackwater 98 – Maliksi 19, Digregorio 16, Parks 16, Stepheson 13, Sumang 11, Belo 7, Tratter 4, Al-Hussaini 3, Banal 3, Sena 2, Alolino 2, Desiderio 2, Cortez 0.
Rain or Shine 92 – Bowles 27, Yap 15, Borboran 10, Daquioag 10, Rosales 8, Norwood 7, Belga 5, Mocon 4, Nambatac 1, Ponferada 0,
Quarterscores: 241-17, 50-40, 76-60, 98-92.
