Blackwater played an all-around game to shock Meralco, 89-82, and bag its third straight win in the 2023 PBA On Tour on Friday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Troy Rosario posted a near double-double, 21 points and nine rebounds to lead the Bossing to the win and fuel some momentum as they approach the end of the preseason tourney with two games left to play.
“We’re keeping it slow with Troy. We’re trying to limit his minutes para at least he’s fresh when the season comes,” said assistant coach Joe Silva, who took over the coaching for the Bossing on behalf of head coach Jeff Cariaso.
“We really are happy na he’s with us. He’s the superstar na kailangan namin na stabilizer when the game is on the line, we just give the ball to him,” he added.
More importantly, the Bossing now improve to 6-3 to get the third spot from the Bolts in the preseason standings.
Blackwater’s role players also showed out, tallying 51 bench points to outscore Meralco’s bench, who had 23.
Both teams went on a back-and-forth all game long until a Mike Digregorio layup capped a 7-0 run for the Bossing with 5:29 left to play to gain the first double-digit lead of the game, 85-74.
The Bolts never got close since then as the Bossing pulled away for the victory.
Digregorio finished the game with 16 points while Rashawn McCarthy added 15 to help seal the deal.
Blackwater is set to go against the Rain or Shine Sunday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan at 5 p.m.
Raymond Almazan, on the other end, unloaded a double-double, 18 points and 14 rebound to go along with four blocks.
Bong Quinto also had 18 markers, while veteran forward Cliff Hodge contributed 15 markers and seven boards for Meralco.
Meralco will also have the Elasto Painters next on July 28 at the same Pasig venue. (Jose Gabriel Ignacio)
The Scores:
Blackwater 89 – Rosario 19, DiGregorio 16, McCarthy 15, Suerte 9, Ilagan 8, Torralba 5, Ular 4, Escoto 4, Ayonayon 3, Pubklico 2, Amer 2, Sena 0, Banal 0
Meralco 82 – Almazan 18, Quinto 18, Hodge 10, Maliksi 7, Pasaol 7, Johnson 7, Black 6, Dario 6, Torres 3, Jose 0, Rios 0, Pascual 0
Quarterscores: 20-23, 47-45, 71-70, 89-82
