Blackwater kept its flickering playoff hopes alive by keeping Terrafirma winless, 96-86, in a battle between the two worst teams of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday evening at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Bossing first overcame an early double-digit deficit before seizing control of the match for good early in the fourth quarter on the way to chalking up just their second win in nine outings (2-7) in the mid-season conference.
Still, they’re at no. 11 in the standings, sitting just above a Dyip side that fell to a depressing 0-10 card following the result as their run of futility continued.
“It hasn’t been a smooth road for us in this conference,” acknowledged head coach Jeff Cariaso. “We have to understand that it’s part of basketball. And tonight they stepped up …. I told them tonight it’s a must-win game.”
George King top-scored for Blackwater with 26 points on 30 attempts, which he laced with 12 rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 36 minutes.
Justin Chua fired 17 points and 12 rebounds off the bench, earning Player of the Game honors as he submitted his best showing of the tilt thus far.
Mike Ayonayon supplied 15 points, while Jaydee Tungcab chipped in 11 as the locals gave King ample support – a welcome development for the high-scoring import that does the heavy lifting almost on a nightly basis.
Now with three games left in its schedule, Blackwater will have to win them all to stay alive, beginning with Converge this Sunday at the Ynares Center.
Brandon Edwards, on the other hand, made 29 points and 16 rebounds to lead Terrafirma. Louie Sangalang and Brent Paraiso had 17 and 12, respectively.
The Dyip will look to finish their conference strongly in their remaining games, first against guest team Hong Kong Eastern this Friday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig and then TNT next Wednesday also at the Ynares Center.
The Scores:
Blackwater 96 – King 26, Chua 17, Ayonayon 15, Tungcab 11, David 8, Suerte 7, Escoto 4, Casio 2, Ponferrada 2, Jopia 2, Montalbo 2, Guinto 0.
Terrafirma 86 – Edwards 29, Sangalang 17, Paraiso 12, Pringle 9, Nonoy 9, Ferrer 7, Carino 2, Romeo 1, Hernandez 0, Manuel 0, Ramos 0, Catapusan 0.
Quarterscores: 34-30, 45-49, 71-67, 96-86.
