ANTIPOLO — Blackwater succeeded even without its best player after downing Phoenix, 100-92, to keep its slim playoff chances alive in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Tuesday at the Ynares Center here.
George King was out due to a foot injury he sustained in their loss to Converge the last time out.
Still, the Bossing frontline gamely stepped up to help the all-Filipino unit tally just its third win of the mid-season conference.
Justin Chua, Christian David, and Jewel Ponferrada joined hands for the finishing 8-0 run as the depleted crew found an extra gear come crunch time after squandering a 15-point lead they built in the second period.
“I can’t express how proud I am because of the fight, the focus, the energy, and the ability to work together,” said head coach Jeff Cariaso.
Chua finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds. David came through with his own double-double after finishing with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
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JVee Casio supplied 14 points and five assists after being utilized for 31 minutes and 12 seconds. Guard Mike Ayonayon made 11 points, spiked by three treys, off the bench while Ponferrada chipped in 10 markers for Blackwater.
Jaydee Tungcab and RK Ilagan added at least seven points apiece to make it a collective effort for a team that’s still missing Sedrick Barefield.
“We didn’t know until 30 minutes before the game that he (King) wasn’t gonna play. That was already a sting to us,” Cariaso said. “But the idea of the guys stepping up, from 1 to 15, I couldn’t be any more proud of this team.”
King, though, could be back in action when the Bossing finish their elimination round campaign on Saturday, January 25 against NorthPort here.
Donovan Smith, meanwhile, finished with a game-high 32 points, nine rebounds, and five assists to lead Phoenix. However, he committed seven turnovers as Blackwater and its bigs took turns in making it hard for him.
Jason Perkins made 19 points and seven rebounds while RJ Jazul had 12 points for the Fuel Masters, who fell to 3-8 as well as Blackwater.
Phoenix – in the midst of a three-game skid – will look to end its elimination round run with a win versus TNT this Friday in the same venue.
The Scores:
Blackwater 100 – Chua 22, David 20, Casio 14, Ayonayon 11, Ponferrada 10, Tungcab 9, Ilagan 7, Escoto 3, Jopia 2, Kwekuteye 2, Guinto 0, Mitchell 0.
Phoenix 92 – Smith 32, Perkins 19, Jazul 12, Salado 7, Tuffin 5, Alejandro 4, Manganti 3, Tio 2, Ballungay 2, Camacho 2, Garcia 0, Daves 0, Verano 0, Rivero 0.
Quarterscores: 23-17, 51-49, 72-72, 100-92.
