Blackwater stuns KaTropa in OT
Games Tomorrow (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:30 p.m. – Alaska vs TNT KaTropa 6:45 p.m. – NorthPort vs Phoenix
Allein Maliksi and John Pinto combined for 15 points in the overtime period, knocking down the big shots to propel Blackwater to a breakthrough 104-98 victory over TNT KaTropa in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Pinto hit two three-point shots while Maliksi, who registered a season-high 28 points, made crucial jumpers that slammed the door on the KaTropa and give the Elite an emotional start to their campaign in the season-ending conference.
It was also Blackwater’s first-ever win against TNT after 12 tries since entering the league in the 2014-15 season.
“Ang sarap manalo,” said Blackwater coach Bong Ramos, overcome with tears as he paid tribute to his players’ sacrifice after a 1-10 campaign in the Commissioner’s Cup.
Blackwater spent the break preparing for the third conference, capturing a pocket tournament in Surabaya, Indonesia while almost making the semifinals of the Super 8 competition in Macau.
“They sacrificed a lot after the second conference ended and both tournaments really helped because I saw how the players have developed,” said Ramos.
Import Henry Walker had 23 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks, forcing the game into overtime after a thunderous dunk off a Terrence Romeo turnover for an 86-all deadlock with 38 seconds remaining in regulation.
Rabeh Al-Hussaini added 13 points and 10 rebounds and Pinto scored 12, including a second three in the extension that made it 97-89 for the Elite with 2:15 to play.
Meanwhile, June Mar Fajardo will miss at least six weeks due to a stress fracture on his right chin, team manager Gee Abanilla confirmed.
The injury forces Fajardo to sit out the first few games of the Beermen in the Governors’ Cup while being ruled out for Gilas Pilipinas’ matches in the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers slated Sept. 13 against Iran and Sept. 17 opposite Qatar.Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer star June Mar Fajardo will be out for at least six weeks after being diagnosed with a stress fracture on his right shin.