Sliding Elite topple fancied Beermen
Game today (Calasiao, Pangasinan) 5 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Magnolia
Blackwater checked a four-game slump in grand fashion, bucking the absence of Mac Belo and pulling the rug from under reigning three-time champion San Miguel Beer, 106-96, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome last night.
Mike Digregorio came up with a personal season high 26 points while Poy Erram, Allein Maliksi and James Sena also dished out superb games as the Elite brought down another fancied team in SMB after earlier wins over Rain or Shine and Barangay Ginebra.
Despite the victory, however, Blackwater stayed outside the Top Eight with a 3-5 (win-loss) card.
Blackwater coach Leo Isaac, however, is hopeful the win would motivate his wards to work harder to salvage a playoff berth at the end of the single-round-robin elimination phase.
“With three more games, I think we still have a good chance to make the next round. We’ve got over the hump, and hopefully we can get going,” said Isaac after stalling SMB’s drive for a Top Two finish.
But the Beermen remained a strong bet for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters with a 6-2 card. They are now 2-2 minus the injury-hit Alex Cabagnot.
“We’re extremely blessed we’re able to contain San Miguel’s scorers and we held our own offensively against their defense,” Isaac also said, making special mention of Digregorio, Erram, Maliksi, Sena, Dave Marcelo and rookie Renz Palma.
Digregorio, Erram and Maliksi led the way offensively, Sena and Marcelo alternately shackled June Mar Fajardo while Palma stepped up in the last quarter and fired eight points.
The Elite turned the game around in the second half on the way to the 10-point victory they fashioned out minus Belo.
Kiefer Ravena strung up a bunch of clutch baskets in the homestretch, including the game-winning turnaround shot with nine-tenths of a second left as NLEX turned back Meralco, 87-85, to move up to joint fifth with Phoenix Petroleum, TNT KaTropa and Barangay Ginebra at 4-4 later in the night.
“Kiefer made the big shots like a veteran, like somebody who is a 10-year veteran in the league. I had no hesitation setting up the plays for him because I knew he would make the right decision,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao.
Ravena scored nine of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, delivering hardest at the finish to personally hand the Bolts a sixth loss against two wins.
The scores: First Game Blackwater 106 – DiGregorio 26, Erram 24, Maliksi 11, Sena 10, Palma 8, Jose 6, Marcelo 6, Cortez 5, Cruz 5, Pinto 5, Neypes 0, Sumang 0.
San Miguel 96 – Santos 22, Ross 20, Lassiter 13, Fajardo 12, Lanete 9, Ganuelas-Rosser 8, Heruela 8, Agovida 2, Semerad 2, De Ocampo 0, Mamaril 0, Pessumal 0 Quarterscores: 20-27, 43-45, 72-69, 106-96 Second Game NLEX 87 – Ravena 21, Fonacier 17, Alas 15, Mallari 12, Quiñahan 6, Al-Hussaini 6, Baguio 4, Miranda 2, Monfort 2, Gotladera 2, Uyloan 0, Taulava 0, Soyud 0.
Meralco 85 – Salva 20, Newsome 15, Amer 14, Hugnatan 10, Lanete 10, Caram 7, Canaleta 4, Hodge 3, Bono 2, Tolomia 0, Dillinger 0.
Quarterscores: 10-26, 38-37, 62-65, 87-85