Kentrell Barkley presided over the strong finish as Blackwater frustrated Magnolia anew, 89-81, to post back-to-back wins for a hot start into the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The IBL MVP finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds, including a touchdown one-handed slam with 32.8 seconds left to play for the exclamation point to the Bossing’s hot 10-0 run to end the game after staring at an 81-79 deficit.
He scored eight in the said rally as the American winger starred anew in helping the franchise take down another league heavyweight after beating a perennial semifinal team in Rain or Shine, 131-108, last Saturday in Montalban.
“Masaya ako kasi my players are having fun,” offered head coach Pat Aquino when asked about this truly promising start for a team hoping to turn its fortunes around after another dismal campaign in the recent Commissioner’s Cup.
RK Ilagan, the reigning PBA Press Corps Player of the Week, continued his fine play with 20 points, including a pair of free throws in the closing run.
Dalph Panopio supplied 12 points while Sedrick Barefield added 10 markers for a team that missed the services of Christian David due to a knee injury.
