Behind the heroics of Abu Tratter and RK Ilagan, Blackwater stunned NLEX, 95-90, to remain unbeaten and move closer to a finals berth in the Kadayawan 2025 Invitational Basketball Tournament on Friday evening at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym.
With the game tied at 90-all with 1:07 remaining, Tratter cleaned up an Ilagan miss to give the Bossing the lead.
A Robert Bolick turnover then led to an Ilagan teardrop, extending their lead to four points.
NLEX still had a chance to tie, but Anthony Semerad’s wide-open corner triple missed, while Ilagan split his free throws, securing Blackwater’s 2-0 record in the four-day Davao meet.
Troy Mallillin continued his outstanding form with 19 points and seven rebounds, according to stats from Madayaw Sports Davao.
Ilagan added 17 points on four triples, along with four rebounds and four assists, while Paul Zamar and Sedrick Barefield contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Blackwater can clinch the first finals berth if they defeat Converge on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the FiberXers earned their first win thanks to a clutch basket by Justine Baltazar, who gave them a 100-98 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
With 14.9 seconds left, Baltazar backed down Kai Ballungay and scored on a beautiful hook shot to give the Delta Pineda-coached squad the lead.
Tyler Tio had two late chances but missed a triple and a floater as time expired.
Justin Arana led Converge with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists.
Bryan Santos added 15 points on four triples, while Alec Stockton tallied 13 points, five rebounds, and two assists.
NLEX will look to bounce back against Phoenix tomorrow to go 2-1 and hope for a Blackwater win over Converge.
Semerad paced the Road Warriors with 17 points, Xyrus Torres added 15, and Robert Bolick contributed 14 points and seven assists.
Robbie Herndon finished with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting.
For Phoenix, Ken Tuffin led with 18 points, Matthew Daves added 14, Tyler Tio scored 11, and Kent Salado provided a spark with 13 points.
The Scores:
First Game:
Converge 100 – Arana 24, Santos B. 15, Caralipio 14, Stockton 13, Javillonar 9, Suerte 5, Casio 4, Garcia 4, Baltazar 2, Santos R. 2, Delos Santos 0.
Phoenix 98 – Tuffin 18, Daves 14, Salado 13, Tio 11, Ballungay 9, Rivero R. 8, Manganti 7, Escandor 6, Alejandro 3, Verano 2, Rivero P. 2, Ular 2.
Quarterscores: 27-30, 46-51, 77-73, 100-98.
Second Game:
Blackwater 95 – Malllillin 19, Ilagan 17, Zamar 11, Barefield 10, Tratter 8, Mendoza 5, Bayla 5, Murrell 4, Guinto 4, Comboy 3, Escoto 1.
NLEX 90 – Semerad 17, Torres 15, Bolick 14, Herndon 10, Bahio 9, Ramirez 8, Amer 7, Mocon 6, Rodger 0, Fajardo 0, Marcelo 0.
Quarterscores: 29-21, 46-47, 65-73, 95-90.
