BLACKWATER BATTERS DYIP IN BIÑAN

BLACKWATER crashed Columbian Dyip, 120-99, on Saturday in Season 43 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.

With the win, the Elite created a three-way tie from No. 3 to 5 with Alaska and Phoenix that are also holding 7-3 win-loss records.

Henry Walker finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds, Mac Belo added 16 points. Allein Maliksi and Paul Zamar contributed 13 points each while Mike Digregorio had 11 points.

Akeem Wright led Columbian Dyip with 28 points as the team ended its campaign with 1-10 win-loss record.

Meanwhile, Magnolia will be gunning for the top spot when it battles Barangay Ginebra San Miguel tonight in Season 43 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Hotshots (8-2 win-loss record) are jumping into the 6:45 p.m. fray with the Gin Kings armed twice-to-beat bonus. Magnolia previously crushed TNT KaTropa, 116-103, on Friday in Antipolo.

“I think we’re in the top four already but we’re not going to stop there since we have back-to-back games,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, referring to their match up with Ginebra. “We just really need to re-focus. We cannot take this Sunday game lightly.”

Victolero is expected to rely anew on the towering 6’7 Ian Sanggalang who posted an impressive 28 points, six rebounds and two blocks output in Magnolia’s victory over TNT.

“You know Ian (Sangalang), he is stepping up every night. I think he is fully healed from his injury,” added Victolero.

The second running Ginebra with 7-2 win-loss record, is rearing for a comeback win after being humiliated by Rain or Shine, 97-104, on October 13 in Lucena.

The Gin Kings are also aiming to formalize their entry into the top four and wants to bag one of the four twice-to-beat quarterfinal incentives.

“It’s obviously a critical game for us in many levels,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone through a text message. “One, it’s Manila Classico and it always a big game when we play Magnolia. Two, we need it for the top four position which in itself is critical. Three, we haven’t played for 15 days and so we need to sharpen our game before the playoffs, and four, we need to reintegrate Greg and Sol back into the lineup and allow them to find a comfort level in the rotation.”

Last conference’s Best Import Justin Brownlee will lead the Gin Kings anew. Brownlee is averaging 32.2 points, 12.6 rebounds and 6.4 assists in his past nine games.

Meanwhile, Alaska seeks to bounce back from a 110-116 loss to Northern Luzon Expressway on Friday when it faces the already-eliminated Northport squad (2-8) in the 4:30 p.m. first game.

Alaska and Phoenix are presently tied in third to fourth place with 7-3 win-loss records.