Blackwater Elite is slowly living up to their monicker after edging out Globalport Batang Pier, 99-91, to own the second spot in the standings of the 2017 OPPO PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Blackwater’s fourth win this conference marks the most victories the franchise had ever earned in their three years of existence in the league.
“Sa tatlong taon namin sa PBA, ngayon lang kami napunta sa sitwasyon na number two kami,” said Elite head coach Leo Isaac in tonight’s victory, which sends them to 4-2.
Four Elites led Blackwater’s offense, with Mac Belo’s 20 points, 11 points coming from the charity stripe. Nard Pinto had 15, while Art Dela Cruz and Ronjay Buenafe made 13 and 11 respectively.
But it was the second unit who had noteworthy performances especially Roi Sumang, who struck the dagger with a wing triple to send Elite’s lead up to eight, 97-89, with 52 ticks left to halt a Globalport comeback from 13 points down, 76-63, in the 6:56 mark of the final period.
Isaac, when asked about the production his bench players made tonight, is the least surprised with they way his back-up wards played.
“Hindi kami nagulat kasi those players off the bench, at anytime they can elevate to the first unit. It’s just that the players on the first unit are the most consistent.
“But we also reward players who excel and give 100 percent in their performances,” stated Isaac.
Terrence Romeo led Globalport with 22 points on a measly 6 of 21 shooting from the floor. 14 markers were produced by fellow guard Stanley Pringle, who was ejected from the game after committing two flagrant fouls, one from the 6:43 mark and another with 2:21 on the clock against Belo in the third canto.
Big man JR Quiñahan added 12, while Niño Cañaleta had 11 points, with three of those coming from a three-pointer that sent Globalport within striking distance, 94-89, with 1:13 to go in the fourth period.
Guards Mike Cortez and Von Pessumal each made ten markers in the loss, which sends Batang Pier down to 3-2 in the standings.
Globalport still won two aspects of team stats despite the loss, outrebounding their counterparts 51 to 43. They also dished the ball better, 21-20. However, their committed six more turnovers, 20-14.
Blackwater’s next match will be on Christmas Day, December 25, 3 PM against the struggling Mahindra Floodbuster at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.. Meanwhile, Globalport will face Phoenix next Wednesday, December 28, 4 PM, at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.
The Scores:
Blackwater 99 – Belo 20, Pinto 15, Buenafe 11, Dela Cruz 13, Sumang 9, Aguilar 7, Banal 5, Cervantes 5, Forrester 4, Sena 4, Pascual 2, Ababou 2, Miranda 2.
GlobalPort 91 – Romeo 22, Pringle 14, Quinahan 12, Canaleta 11, Cortez 10, Pessumal 10, Pennisi 5, Mamaril 5, Banal 2, Maierhofer 0, Urbiztondo 0, Paredes 0.
Quarterscores: 23-23, 48-47, 77-67, 99-91
