Blackwater didn’t let the past repeat itself as it nipped Phoenix Super LPG, 92-90, in the PBA On Tour, Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Bossing saw their 12-point lead become just two following Sean Manganti’s perfect trip to the foul line with 50.6 seconds left, but made sure to handle the endgame better this time unlike versus Ginebra the last time out.
Although Ato Ular missed the potential dagger approaching the last six seconds, Rashawn McCarthy was at the right place at the right time as he secured the rock and held onto it until the final buzzer to secure the victory.
“We need to work on our consistency,” offered lead assistant coach Joe Silva postgame. “We built a lead, pero ang bilis bumaba.”
Troy Rosario led the bounce-back with 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the field for easily his best game in the preseason, alongside eight rebounds.
“Bounce back lang. Sama ng shooting ko last game, three out of twelve,” he said. “Kailangan ko ring bumawi — ‘di lang ako, pati buong team.”
Veteran playmaker JVee Casio and McCarthy finished with 13 points apiece in the triumph, same with young guns Mike Ayonayon and Rey Suerte.
Casio and McCarthy actually sparked Blackwater’s early fourth-quarter assault but the crew just couldn’t stay consistent in keeping control of the lead.
But defense and hustle proved key in saving themselves from disaster. After Manganti’s freebies off Rosario’s loose ball foul, they kept him from connecting with Simon Camacho for a lob with 30 seconds remaining.
Then came the big McCarthy rebound in the dying seconds as the Bossing went on to collect their fourth victory in seven outings.
Blackwater will face San Miguel next Sunday, July 2, 5 p.m. at the FilOil EcoOil Center in what could be coach Jeff Cariaso’s first game with the team.
Manganti, meanwhile, led Phoenix with 18 points in the loss (3-4). Reden Celda and Tyler Tio had 15 each while Chris Lalata added 14.
Up next for the Fuel Masters will be Converge, which they will be playing against on July 7, Friday, 5 p.m. still at Ynares-Pasig.
The Scores:
Blackwater 92 – Rosario 24, Casio 13, McCarthy 13, Ayonayon 13, Suerte 13, DiGregorio 9, Ular 7, Escoto 4, Banal 3, Amer 2, llagan 0, Publico 0.
Phoenix Super LPG 90 – Manganti 18, Celda 15, Tio 15, Lalata 14, Mocon 8, Fetalvero 7, Camacho 7, Rangel 2, Atienza 0.
Quarterscores: 26-26, 46-43, 71-69, 92-90.
