Roi Sumang caught fire when it mattered the most, steering the Blackwater Elite past the Magnolia Hotshots in overtime, 104-99, to arrest their two-game losing skid in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City.
The four-year pro out of UE finished with 19 points, including seven straight points in the overtime period that gave the Elite a 94-87 lead with 2:22 left to play, which they will never relinquish. Sumang also had six assists and three rebounds.
Blackwater improved to 6-3 while snapping Magnolia’s five-game winning streak in the process.
“I have to commend my players for playing really well the entire game. Never sila bumitaw. I’m so happy we got our sixth win,” said Elite head coach Aris Dimaunahan, as his team has secured a spot in the playoffs following the win.
Mike DiGregorio produced 15 points on a 50-percent clip from the field, with three rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
New import Staphon Blair — Blackwater’s third foreign reinforcement this conference — made a good account of himself in his PBA debut as he finished with 14 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks in 36 minutes of play.
Ray Parks Jr. struggled as he shot just 2-of-12 from the field, but he still churned out 11 markers and 10 boards.
Magnolia’s loss spoiled the historic night of Paul Lee, who now has 5,000 career points, becoming the 92nd player in league history to have such. The gunslinging guard finished with 25 points, eight assists, and six rebounds.
James Farr had 23 points, 20 rebounds, four blocks, an assist, and a steal in the loss that dropped Magnolia to 5-3.
The Hotshots’ loss meant that NorthPort Batang Pier has secured a twice-to-beat advantage for the playoffs.
Both Magnolia and Blackwater will see action again this Sunday, July 7, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. The Elite will face top seed TNT KaTropa at 4:30 PM, as the Hotshots will battle Ginebra in a Manila Clasico tiff at 6:45 PM.
The Scores:
Blackwater 104 – Sumang 19, Digregorio 15, Maliksi 14, Blair 14, Parks 11, Belo 9, Al-Hussaini 9, Alolino 5, Cortez 4, Sena 4, Banal 0.
Magnolia 99 – Lee 25, Farr 23, Jalalon 14, Barroca 13, Brondial 6, Sangalang 4, Dela Rosa 4, Melton 3, Pingris 3, Herndon 2, Pascual 2, Simon 0.
Quarterscores: 23-23, 39-43, 61-61, 84-84, 104-99
