Blackwater refused to get caught by the upset ax and instead compounded on the struggles of a hard-luck Terrafirma, 93-86, to get back on track in the 2022-23 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Friday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Cameron Krutwig and Baser Amer came through in the endgame, making sure that the Bossing won’t become the team that the Dyip would beat to end a harrowing losing skid that dates back to the 2021-22 Governors’ Cup.
The club now absorbed its 21st consecutive defeat, eight shy of the record owned by, incidentally, the very same team that added to their woes.
“We’ve been in that situation last year,” recalled head coach Ariel Vanguardia of his side’s 29-game win drought, which lasted for almost two seasons. “It was the same situation last year, when we were hungry for a win.
“Now, it’s the reverse,” added the veteran mentor. “Sila ‘yung gustong-gusto manalo, kami naman ‘yung up-and-coming, kumbaga.”
Blackwater did have any right to be wary as their hungry foes stormed back from a 14-point third-quarter deficit and even took a 69-63 lead early in the final period, setting up a see-saw battle all the way to through.
But they proved to be the better unit come winning time, with Krutwig completing a three-point play for the 86-83 lead with 1:47 left. A key assist of his moments later led to a Rashawn McCarthy triple to expand the lead to six.
The Dyip still didn’t bow behind JP Calvo’s try of his own, but Amer shut the door close on them with perfect trips to the foul line in the final seconds.
“Lumamang kami, pero bumalik sila. But ano lang, I think we did a pretty good job with our poise,” lauded Vanguardia, glad with the resolve his wards showed after their meltdown against NorthPort the last time out.
Krutwig finished with 29 points and 24 rebounds for his first 20-20 outing, together with three assists and two steals to lead the Bossing to a 3-3 card.
Amer had 21 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Troy Rosario supplied 15 points and five boards, while McCarthy added 10 off the bench.
“It’s 0-0 again, we’re at 3-3. The next game’s gonna be tough, alam namin ‘yun. We gotta get over that and be consistent,” Vanguardia said as Blackwater takes on TNT next on October 22, Saturday, 4:30 at the Philsports Arena.
Terrafirma, on the other hand, was led by Lester Prosper with a PBA career-low 18 points and 11 rebounds in the stinging defeat.
Andreas Cahilig had 12 points, while Calvo and Aldrech Ramos added 10 markers apiece for a Dyip side that missed Juami Tiongson due to injury.
It surely was tough not having their lead guard in action but the squad showed some promise when it stormed back from the aforementioned double-digit deficit by unloading a fiery 14-0 run for a 63-60 lead late in the third.
They went toe-to-toe with the Bossing up until the final moments, with Cahilig nailing a triple to beat the shot clock to tie the game at 83-all with 2:08 left.
But then again, Krutwig was there to foil their upset bid, sparking what turned out to be a 10-3 run to finish the game in their favor.
Terrafirma (0-5) will try to end its miseries next Friday, but will have to overcome Andrew Nicholson and guest team Bay Area to do so.
The Scores:
Blackwater (93) — Krutwig 29, Amer 21, Rosario 15, McCarthy 10, Ular 6, Suerte 5, Banal 3, Jackson 2, Ayonayon 2, Taha 0, Sena 0, Go 0.
Terrafirma (86) — Priosper 18, Cahilig 12, Calvo 10m Ramos 10, Munzon 9, Cabagnot 7, Alolino 6, Gomez de Liano 6, Mina 5, Gabayni 2, Camson 0, Javelona 0.
Quarterscores: 15-12, 37-36, 63-63, 93-86.
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
