In another chapter in the battle of the extension teams, it was the locals of the Blackwater Elites that powered them to a strong 110-102 finish over the Mahindra Enforcers on the first installment of Valentine’s Day of the PBA Commissioner Cup, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
The first quarter featured a neck-to-neck start in the opening minutes with both teams knotted in deadlocks for a couple of times. However, Blackwater made the game’s first major run, as Mike Cortez knocked down a three to complete a 12-2 run. Down by as much as 10 in the first, Mahindra responded by cutting the deficit down to five, 25-20 after the first twelve minutes.
Once again, the Enforcers managed to make it a tight affair, tying the game at 27 with 9 minutes left in the first half. As momentum shifted towards Mahindra, the game took a total turnaround in the second period. Hyram Bagatsing and KG Canaleta drained long ranged hits, and their reinforcement Augustus Gilchrist controlled the boards, as the Enforcers made their own double-digit spread at 44-34. They eventually outscored the Elites, 29-18 to take a 49-43 advantage at the break.
The game of runs continued in the offensive-filled third quarter, but favored the Blackwater squad. Malcolm Rhett initiated the run from the paint, as his crew slowly chipped into the lead. As Art Dela Cruz also joined the scoring parade, the Elites completed a 15-7 run to create their biggest lead of the new half at 68-60. On the other hand, Mahindra rallied back to tie the game at 75, before Carlo Lastimosa broke the deadlock at the third quarter buzzer.
For the first half of the final frame, the game slowed down with the number of fouls committed by the two teams. With 5:17 left in the game, Blackwater was only up by a point at 91-90. However, three big triples from Reil Cervantes and Art Dela Cruz broke the game wide open late. Dela Cruz and Lastimosa made key baskets late, but a 16-point explosion by Reil Cervantes in the fourth quarter alone extended their lead, and eventually took the first win of the conference.
Blackwater committed less turnovers, 19-24, while having 10 more points in the paint, 52-42. Carlo Lastimosa had a productive game with 26 points on 9/20 shooting, six rebounds and four assists.
Cervantes ended up with 24 points and two rebounds in 28 minutes of action off the bench. After the game, he opened up about his increased confidence saying , “Basta sabi lang ng coach na pag free, tira na. Sabi din na bigay lang namin yung best at kailangan kumayod para manalo.”
For the losing Mahindra Enforcers, Gilchrist tallied 34 markers, including an efficient 13/19 shooting. Karl Dehesa added 14.
Blackwater (1-1) will next face the Alaska Aces (0-0), 4:15pm on Friday, at the Mall of Asia Arena. Meanwhile, the Enforcers (1-1) will have the Philippine Cup champs San Miguel Beermen (0-0) as their next assignment on Sunday, February 20, at Biñan, Laguna.
The Scores:
Blackwater (110) – Lastimosa 26, Cervantes 24, Dela Cruz 19, Dela Cruz 19, Reyes 12, Cortez 5, Golla 2, Gamalinda 2, Bulawan 1, Canada 0
Mahindra (102) – Gilchrist 34, Dehesa 14, Canaleta 13, Ramos 10, Yee 8, Jaime 7, Bagatsing 5, Pinto 5, Digregorio 2, Revilla 2, Guinto 2, Hubalde 0, Alvarez 0
Quarterscores: 25-20, 43-49, 77-75, 110-102.
