Blackwater keeps head above water
Cliff Jopia of Blackwater (No. 8) fights for the rebound during their PBA Commissioner’s Cup game against Phoenix Super LPG at the Ynares Center last night. The Bossing prevailed, 100-92.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PBA
Cliff Jopia of Blackwater (No. 8) fights for the rebound during their PBA Commissioner’s Cup game against Phoenix Super LPG at the Ynares Center last night. The Bossing prevailed, 100-92.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PBA
Blackwater kept its slim quarterfinals hopes alive after staving off elimination sans injured reinforcement George King in a 100-92 win over Phoenix in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup Tuesday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Justin Chua, Christian David and Jewel Ponferada stepped up at crunch time to lead the Bossing to their third win in 11 games, tying their victim at 11th to 12th spot.
Chua delivered 22 points including a crucial basket that shattered a 92-92 deadlock with 3:40 left and sparked Blackwater’s closing 8-0 run.
The big man grabbed 11 rebounds while David added 20 markers and 12 boards for the Bossing, who scratched King off their game roster just minutes before tipoff due to an apparent foot injury he suffered last game.
Javee Casio had 14 points while Michael Ayonayon and Ponferada got 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the all-Filipino Blackwater.
“I’m really super proud of these guys tonight. I can’t express how proud I am because of the fight, the focus, the energy and the ability to work together,” Bossing coach Jeff Cariaso said.
“When it’s an import conference, it’s always harder when you don’t have an import. We didn’t know until 30 minutes before the game that he wasn’t gonna play. That was already a sting to us.”
David gave Blackwater more breathing room after hitting two foul shots before Ponferrada scored off a strong drive for a 98-92 lead with 1:09 remaining. He iced it with two more free throws with 24.3 seconds left.
Donovan Smith finished with 32 points and nine boards while Jason Perkins and RJ Jazul added 19 and 12, respectively, for the Fuel Masters.
Both Blackwater and Phoenix need to win their final game in the elims and hope that San Miguel Beer, Magnolia and NLEX will not reach five victories for a chance to force a playoff for the No. 8 seat.
BLACKWATER (100) — Chua 22, David 20, Casio 14, Ayonayon 11, Ponferrada 10, Tungcab 9, Ilagan 7, Escoto 3, Jopia 2, Kwekuteye 2, Guinto 0, Mitchell 0.
PHOENIX (92) — Smith 32, Perkins 19, Jazul 12, Salado 7, Tuffin 5, Alejandro 4, Manganti 3, Tio 2, Ballungay 2, Camacho 2, Garcia 0, Daves 0, Verano 0, Rivero 0.
Quarters: 23-17, 51-49, 72-72, 100-92.
