RK Ilagan was solid in his return after providing the spark in Blackwater’s 131-108 upset of Rain or Shine for a smashing PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup debut on Saturday evening at the Ynares Center II in Montalban.
Now fully healthy from a knee issue that sidelined him for most of the recent Commissioner’s Cup, the spitfire guard launched 22 points as he contributed in the Bossing’s second-quarter breakaway for the 72-56 halftime lead.
Ilagan shot an excellent 8-of-12 from the field, including three triples. He also had five rebounds, three assists, and two steals in his first game back since April 8 — a 102-98 defeat to Titan Ultra at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Coach Pat Aquino felt pleased not just with his ward’s performance but with his squad as a whole. Their contributions also avenged the 151-95 drubbing they took at the hands of the Elasto Painters last conference.
That humiliating 56-point loss last March 31 was an all-time league record for the biggest winning margin. It triggered the top brass to part ways with Jeff Cariaso and bring in the most successful Gilas Pilipinas Women mentor in his place.
(C) PBA Images
“It was at the back of our minds. But that’s in the past already,” offered Aquino. “We had to prepare well, especially with what Coach Yeng [Guiao] is doing with Rain or Shine. We want to imitate what they’ve been doing also.”
Two more players finished with 20-plus points in the lopsided triumph. Import Kentrell Barkley poured a team-high 29 points alongside 15 rebounds and 10 assists for a triple-double showing in his first-ever game in the league.
It was the first triple-double in a PBA debut since Converge rookie Juan Gomez de Liaño in this season’s Philippine Cup, and the first to do so in a Blackwater uniform since Cameron Krutwig in the 2022-23 Commissioner’s Cup.
Sedrick Barefield delivered 24 points as the troika led the balanced attack, which saw a total of six players finish in double figures. The others were rookie tandem Dalph Panopio (19) and James Una (12), plus Abu Tratter (11).
“Just happy that, you know. Everybody stepped up, everybody played with the mindset of winning the game, and they never gave up. Hopefully, this good start will continue in the games to come,” said Aquino.
The Bossing will look to build on the big win when they take on KJ Buffen and the Magnolia Hotshots on Friday, July 17, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
(C) PBA Images
Rain or Shine, on the other hand, suffered its worst defeat since a 90-114 defeat to Barangay Ginebra last May 3 during the Commissioner’s Cup elimination round, according to the league’s chief statistician, Fidel Mangonon III.
The result spoiled the return of veteran import Aaron Fuller, who led the team with 38 points and 15 rebounds but received little support.
Adrian Nocum and Gian Mamuyac were the only others in twin digits with 17 and 12 markers, respectively, for the Elasto Painters. The team will shoot for win no. 1 when they face the Meralco Bolts next Saturday, July 18, in Antipolo.
The Scores:
Blackwater 131 – Barkley 31, Barefield 24, Ilagan 22, Panopio 19, Una 12, Tratter 11, Demusis 8, Austria 4, Mallilin 2, Escoto 0, Cruz-Dumont 0, David 0, DiGregorio 0, Mendoza 0, Sena 0.
Rain or Shine 108 – Fuller 38, Nocum 17, Mamuyac 12, Villegas 9, Clarito 8, Malonzo 6, Manaytay 6, Tiongson 5, Cuajao 5, David 2, Asistio 0, Caracut 0.
Quarterscores: 36-25; 72-56; 108-81; 131-108.
