Sedrick Barefield earned praise from no less than Pat Aquino after starring in Blackwater’s skid-ending win over Phoenix Super LPG on Wednesday,
The star guard finished with 26 points, three rebounds, and three assists as he powered the Bossing’s fourth-quarter reversal. He also helped out a nine-point deficit after three, leaving his head coach in awe of the assertiveness he showed.
“I love what Sed has been doing,” he said after their 106-100 victory at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, which put them back on track after losing their last three outings.
“He is becoming the leader of the team. He took over.”
Barefield scored 11 in the period, almost single-handedly outscoring the Fuel Masters in the final 12 minutes. Their improved play on both ends allowed the crew to finish the game in convincing fashion, 29-14.
The 29-year-old actually scored the fourth quarter’s first basket, and that got him going, leading an 11-0 run with Troy Mallillin to give Blackwater the 88-86 lead.
(C) PBA Images
And when the opposition snatched the lead back, he had a hand in putting together another 11-0 rally for the 103-93 lead with under a minute left to play, which proved to be enough to take the wind out of Phoenix’s sails.
Blackwater was not only able to snap out of their skid, but also get revenge against the team that beat them, 102–93, last July 28. Barefield himself was bounce-back personified with his production, after a lowly 10-point showing on a poor 5-of-19 clip from the field in that loss.
“I feel like I had some of my best games against Phoenix, so not having a great game against them last time kinda put a bad taste in my mouth,” he said.
But the former NBA G League campaigner felt prouder of the Bossing as a whole, rather than his own performance.
“Honestly, just as a team, that was the vibe. We knew we were better than how we performed in the last game, and I kinda just wanted to be more aggressive and not settle as much and I think we did a better job on that today.”
Barefield also liked the stand they put up, especially on defense, which boosted the comeback they pulled off against the then-Group B leaders.
“We know what kind of team we are when we’re getting stops, taking pride in our defense,” he offered. “And then, just executing offensively.
“Our coaches put a great game plan together, and we executed. And when we did what they wanted us to do, what they’ve been preaching to us, things went well for us. I think that contributed to the comeback.”
