Elite aim to keep rolling

Against the struggling Road Warriors, the Elite were impressive

Games today: (AUF Arena)

4:00 p.m. — Magnolia vs Meralco 6:45 p.m. — Blackwater vs Alaska

CLARK — Blackwater seeks to sustain its blazing start when it clashes with rejuvenated Alaska side in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Tuesday at the Angeles University Foundation Arena powered by Smart 5G here.

Game time is at 6:45 p.m. with the Elite gunning for their third win in four games to join heavyweights like TNT Tropang Giga, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Rain or Shine and Phoenix in the upper crust of the team standing.

Also gunning for crucial wins are Magnolia and Meralco, who collide in the 4 p.m. appetizer.

The Kings and the Elasto Painters are enjoying a fine start with three straight wins while the Tropang Giga and Fuel Masters stake their unbeaten cards in a furious battle at press time.

The Elite are in the middle of the pack with a 2-1 win-loss slate while Alaska, Meralco, Magnolia and reigning champion San Miguel Beer are knotted with a 1-2 win-loss card in the early stretch of this bubble conference.

But all eyes will be on the Elite.

Despite missing the services of top overall pick Maurice Shaw due to back spasms, Blackwater is still on a roll following an overwhelming 96-89 win over Northport last week and 98-88 victory over NLEX over the weekend.

Against the struggling Road Warriors, the Elite were impressive.

After opening the game on a sluggish note, Blackwater stepped on the gas, turning a 46-all halftime deadlock into an 81-62 lead, thanks to a sizzling 35-16 rally engineered by KG Cañaleta and Don Trollano.

Cañaleta, a 15-year veteran, came off the bench to turn in a vintage performance with 18 points, seven rebounds and two blocks while Trollano registered a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.