BLACKWATER went on a torrid third quarter assault to notch its first win in the PBA Philippine Cup with the 120-98 shocker at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Despite being shut out in the opening frame, Sedrick Barefield still finished with 20 points to pace the Bossing's balanced offense that fully sprang to life in the penultimate period where they outscored the Batang Pier, 40-27, to go into the final canto with an 88-74 spread.
With its offense continuing to sputter and its defense repeatedly shredded, NorthPort found itself trailing by as much as 27 points thrice, the last at 82-109, before eventually losing a second straight game that tied it with its latest tormentor.
For coach Jeffrey Cariaso, the victory that came after an 80-111 thrashing from Converge last April 13 was the result of all the hard work his charges put in during their practices.
"Because we got our butts kicked a bit in the first two games we wanted to take advantage of the 12 days in-between games," related Cariaso.
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"For the most part it wasn't perfect at practice, a lot of challenges. But the guys never stopped working hard. So the simple focus is go back to the drawing board and push more, get better," added Cariaso.
Christian David also shook off his scoring woes and finished with 19 points while RK Ilagan, Richard Escoto, BJ Andrade and Troy Mallilin each had 10 points to lead Blackwater's 60-29 advantage in bench points.
More important for Cariaso were the 24 assists the Bossing racked up. "When you share the ball, move the ball, good things happen," he pointed out.
"Hopefully this is the start of them really, truly buying in and understanding that. It makes it easier for one another when you play together," added Cariaso. "It makes it easier for one another when you play together. Tonight, we made it happen and we have to make sure we keep it going."
The loss came on the heels of NorthPort's 96-113 drubbing from Rain or Shine last April 16 and the Batang Pier practically made it possible when they committed 18 turnovers that prevented them from gaining any offensive rhythm.
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Joshua Munzon tallied a gamehigh 27 points and William Navarro notched a third straight double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds, but Arvin Tolentino's return from a one-game absence due to a hip injury did not go as planned.
The Best Player of the last Commissioner's Cup struggled for only 15 points after shooting just 6-of-17 from the field while also committing a gamehigh four turnovers.(NC)
The Scores :
BLACKWATER 120 - Barefield 20, David 19, Ilagan 17, Escoto 15, Andrade 14, Mallilin 10, Ayonayon 9, Guinto 7, Tungcab 5, Chua 2, Tratter 2, Casio 0.
NORTHPORT 98 - Munzon 27, Navarro 24, Tolentino 15, Bulanadi 12, Jalalon 7, Onwubere 6, Cuntapay 3, Flores 3, Yu 1, Nelle 0, Kwekuteye 0, Taha 0.
QUARTERS: 20-22, 48-47, 88-74, 120-98
