BLACKWATER IN COMMAND
Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 3 p.m. – NLEX vs Terrafirma 6:15 p.m. – Converge vs NorthPort
Rey Nambatac, hero of Blackwater’s opening-day win, limped out barely six minutes and 58 seconds into its succeeding game against TNT. But no worries, the Bossing got it covered.
With RK Ilagan and Troy Rosario leading a collective effort, the Bossing claimed the scalp of TNT, 87-76, to grab the PBA Philippine Cup lead yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ilagan scattered 15 points, seven rebounds, eight assists and two steals while Rosario topscored with 20 as Jeff Cariaso’s charges rose to the occasion following the early exit of Nambatac (sprained right ankle) and chalked up a follow-up to their 96-93 upset of Meralco two days before.
Christian David (13), Bradwyn Guinto (nine), James Kwekuteye (nine) and debuting trade acquisition Jaydee Tungcab (five assists, four rebounds and two steals) similarly answered Blackwater’s call.
“Tonight was really a team effort. I don’t use that loosely because it’s really a necessity. When you play a big team like TNT, or every team in the league for that matter, there needs to be that sense of purpose. And what makes us happy is that in the first two games, the players displayed that,” said Cariaso. Such purpose-driven approach empowered Cariaso and Co. to produce Blackwater’s best start since a similar 2-0 opening in the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup.
Moreover, it enabled the Bossing to surpass their one-win output in the previous conference two matches into the conference.
For Ilagan, it was a personal bounce back from his scoreless stint in the earlier reversal over Meralco, where Nambatac sizzled with 30 markers and 10 assists.
“Ginawa ko lang ang role ko, ‘yun, nakuha namin ang panalo,” said Ilagan, the main step-up guy with Nambatac leaving with one rebound and one assist after twisting his ankle in 5:02 of action.
Later, Meralco outlasted Rain or Shine in overtime, 121-117, to improve to 1-1.
The Elasto Painters, who played the last 52.1 seconds of OT without ejected coach Yeng Guiao, slid to 0-2.
The scores:
First Game
Blackwater 87 – Rosario 20, Ilagan 15, David 13, Kwekuteye 9, Guinto 9, Yap 6, Escoto 5, Sena 4, Suerte 3, Hill 2, Tungcab 1, Nambatac 0, Jopia 0
TNT 76 – Oftana 21, Castro 12, Khobuntin 8, Galinato 8, Pogoy 8, B. Ganuelas-Rosser 8, Williams 3, Ebona 2, Montalbo 2, M. Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Aurin 2, Reyes 0, Ponferrada 0 Quarterscores: 16-17, 39-35, 69-59, 87-76 Second Game Meralco 121 – Maliksi 26, Newsome 16, Quinto 16, Torres 16, Hodge 16, Caram 13, Black 6, Pascual 5, Mendoza 4, Rios 2, Pasaol 1, Banchero 0, Jose 0.
Rain or Shine 117 – Nocum 29, Santillan 25, Mamuyac 15, Datu 9, Clarito 9, Belga 9, Caracut 8, Norwood 6, Belo 3, Borboran 2, Demusis 2, Ildefonso 0.
Quarterscores: 28-20, 49-42, 80-77, 102-102, 121-117 OT