Blackwater scores tough victory

Games Saturday

(Ynares Center Antipolo)

4:30 p.m. – Meralco vs Terrafirma

6:45 p.m. – NLEX vs NorthPort

This time, Blackwater was able to keep its composure in the endgame.

Unlike the last time where it gave up 40 fourth-quarter points against NLEX, the Bossing didn't panic amid repeated rallies by Phoenix Super LPG and held on to a hard-earned 108-105 win in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors' Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Import Shawn Glover stepped up during the crucial moments while veteran guards JVee Casio and Rashawn McCarthy also provided the baskets needed for the Bossing, who just entered the win  column of the season-ending tournament after a big letdown in their previous outing.

One of the few returning imports in the tournament, Glover had proven to be a steady performer.  He finished with 31 points, including a step-back jumper that gave the Bossing back the lead, 99-98, with 1:17 left.

Casio also had his share of big moments as his long two-point basket at the corner gave his team enough cushion, 101-98, before the game turned out to become a free throw contest in the next few possessions, allowing Blackwater to hold on to the win.

Phoenix Super LPG remained winless after two games.

"It's hard to be down 0-2. We still have a team dinner for the Chinese New Year, so it would be nice to dine together coming off a win," said Blackwater coach Ariel Vanguardia.

But more than the victory and the chance to learn together, including the new additions in the squad, Vanguardia is looking forward to have a healthier roster, pending the return of forward Troy Rosario from a plantar fasciitis injury.

"Our No.1 priority this conference is to be healthy. We need to go all in,"
he added. "He's going to be a huge addition even if we're going to have him play for 80%."

Action in the PBA Governors' Cup returns at the Ynares Center in Antipolo today as Meralco hopes to continue its surge in the season-ending tournament when it takes on Terrafirma.

The Bolts will take on the Dyip at 4:30 p.m. right before the match between NLEX and NorthPort at 6:45 p.m.

For two straight games, Meralco was able to hurdle past Rain or Shine and NorthPort as coach Norman Black has been getting solid games from import K.J. McDaniels and returning old reliable players like Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge.

Now on his fourth tour of duty in the PBA, McDaniels has been able to rediscover his old, deadly form. In two games, he averaged 29.5 points and a tournament-best 22.5 rebounds per game.

Similarly productive were Newsome and Hodge, two key players who were injured at the last conference.

These key players are now back in harness and immediately reaffirmed their familiar roles with the Bolts as the best local scorer and stopper.

Newsome contributed 16 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals while Hodge came away with 15 points and nine boards in the Bolts' 107-102 victory over the Batang Pier last Thursday.

The Scores:

BLACKWATER 108 – Glover 31, Amer 17, Ular 14, Taha 10, McCarthy 9, Hill 6, Banal 6, Ayonayon 5, Casio 5, Ilagan 3, DiGregorio 2, Torralba 0, Escoto 0, Suerte 0

PHOENIX 105 – Maxwell 37, Tio 15, Perkins 13, Alejandro 10, Serrano 9, Soyud 5, Manganti 5, Garcia 5, Jazul 2, Muyang 2, Camacho 2, Go 0

QUARTERS: 25-18, 54-45, 79-69, 108-105