Blackwater earned a huge 87-76 upset against TNT to take the early lead in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup, Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Bossing began to take control in the second quarter before pulling away for good in the final frame on the way to their second win in as many games.
This is their first 2-0 start in a conference since the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup.
“It was really a team effort,” said head coach Jeffrey Cariaso. “I don’t use that loosely. Because it really is a necessity when you play against a big team.”
Troy Rosario led the way with a game-high 20 points and six rebounds, turning in his best performance thus far against his former team.
RK Ilagan came up big as well, finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and a block off the bench.
And he helped lead the 13-0 run toward a commanding 85-65 lead with 6:43 left to play.
Christian David added 13 as plenty of heroes stepped up after Rey Nambatac went down with an ankle injury in the first quarter and never returned.
“Naapakan niya ata ‘yung paa ni Barkley (Ebona). Hopefully, it’s just a grade 1 sprain and nothing worse. But yes, he suffered a sprained ankle,” said Cariaso. “We’ll do what we can in the next few days to get him ready.”
Blackwater will try to extend its unbeaten run to three against Converge on Wednesday, March 6, 4:30 PM, still at the Big Dome.
Calvin Oftana, on the other hand, had 21 points to lead TNT, who failed to replicate its comeback win over Rain or Shine last Wednesday.
Jayson Castro added 12 for the Tropang Giga, which actually held a seven-point edge past the midway mark of the second.
Then the Bossing went on a 13-0 run to take a 37-31 lead. They would play catch-up ball the rest of the way.
TNT (1-1) will try to go back into the winners’ circle when it faces Terrafirma – who’s currently 1-0 – next Saturday, March 9, 3:00 PM, also in Araneta.
The Scores:
Blackwater 87 – Rosario 20, Ilagan 15, David 13, Kwekuteye 9, Guinto 9, Yap 6, Escoto 5, Sena 4, Suerte 3, Hill 2, Tungcab 1, Nambatac 0, Jopia 0.
TNT 76 – Oftana 21, Castro 12, Khobuntin 8, Galinato 8, Ganuelas-Rosser B. 8, Williams 3, Ebona 2, Montalbo 2, Ganuelas-Rosser M. 2 , Aurin 2, Reyes 0, Ponferrada 0.
Quarterscores: 16-17, 39-35, 69-59, 87-76.
