Belo’s big debut keys Blackwater’s fiery start
Games tomorrow (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:15 p.m. – Mahindra vs GlobalPort 7 p.m. – Alaska vs NLEX
Mac Belo delivered a near double-double performance in a grand pro debut, firing 17 points and hauling down nine rebounds, as Blackwater made a winning start in a tournament for the first time, topping Phoenix Petroleum, 94-87, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
Belo played like a veteran cager in 32:43 minutes of action, going 7-of-9 from the field while making his presence felt on the defensive end to help the Elite beat the Fuel Masters also for the first time in the franchise’s young history.
TNT KaTropa, Rain or Shine and NLEX are the other teams Blackwater hasn’t beaten since entering the league in 2014.
“It’s a new season for us and we have some new players, players that we really wanted in our lineup. We have new energy and new hope. But all excitement must be converted to W’s on actual games. And that’s where the hard work begins,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac.
Dylan Ababou, Ronjay Buenafe, James Forrester and Raphael Banal also had solid debuts as Blackwater players, helping the team get past the Phoenix squad paced by guard Simon Enciso with a career-high 25 points on top of four rebounds, two steals and one assist.
Matthew Wright, Phoenix’s own Gilas recruit, missed his first game in the season with a bum stomach.
Later in the night, Jericho Cruz top scored with 18 points, Raymond Almazan put in a double-double game and four other Rain or Shine players scored in double figures as the E-Painters crushed the TNT KaTropa Texters, 101-87, in their first outing after the departure of coach Yeng Guiao.
“Before the game, I just told the guys coach Yeng is not arriving tonight. We’re gonna miss him but we have to move on. The guys came out and showed the character they developed in the past,” said returning ROS head coach Caloy Garcia. The scores: First Game BLACKWATER 94 – Belo 17, Dela Cruz 12, Miranda 11, Ababou 9, Buenafe 8, Pinto 8, Forrester 7, Pascual 7, Sena 6, Aguilar 4, Banal 3, Cervantes 2.
PHOENIX 87 – Enciso 25, Intal 12, Alolino 11, Wilson W. 10, Borboran 6, Caperal 6, Wilson J. 5, Baguio 4, Lanete 4, Torres 4, Hayes 0, Miranda 0, Javillonar 0. Quarterscores: 27-23, 45-43, 71-69, 94-87 Second Game RAIN OR SHINE 101 – Cruz 18, Belga 14, Norwood 13, Almazan 13, Tolomia 11, Ahanmisi 10, Washington 9, Ponferada 6, Chan 5, Tiu 2, Matias 0, Trollano 0.
TNT 87 – De Ocampo 24, Rosario 16, Pogoy 9, Fonacier 9, Rosser 8, Reyes 7, Williams 6, Tautuaa 4, Carey 2, Nuyles 2, Rosales 0, Seigle 0.
Quarterscores: 20-12, 42-35, 66-57, 101-87