BLACKWATER Sports defeated Jumbo Plastic, 84-70, on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena as the Elite moved closer to a PBA D-League Foundation Cup finals match-up against NLEX.
Gilbert Bulawan led a balanced Blackwater attack, finishing with 13 points while grabbing seven rebounds as the Elite drew first blood in the best-of-three semifinal series.
Defending champion Blackwater goes for the sweep in Game Two on Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Arena.
“Naka-isa na kami. With this victory, I expect that we will step to the next level of our confidence. We can improve more. Siguro para mas maganda, we have to finish the series on Tuesday,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac.
Wins by Blackwater and NLEX on Tuesday will arrange a showdown of two teams that are moving up to the PBA in the 2014-2015 season.
Jericho Cruz added 12 points while Mark Cruz and Kevin Ferrer chipped in 11 for Blackwater Sports, which poured it on in the third quarter after a 22-14 scoring edge.
Jeff Viernes had 12 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter but his late effort couldn’t save Jumbo Plastic, which trailed by as many as 25 points.
The scores:
Blackwater Sports (84) – Bulawan 13, J. Cruz 12, M. Cruz 11, Ferrer 11, Cervantes 10, Ciriacruz 7, Pinto 7, Trollano 5, Austria 4, Llagas 4, Mangahas 0, Mangeura 0, Soyud 0.
Jumbo Plastic Linoleum (70) – Viernes 17, Canada 12, Custodio 11, Ballesteros 7, Villamor 6, Tan 6, Magat 5, Dehesa 4, Colina 2, Petilos 0, Parala 0.
Quarterscores: 20-15; 44-35; 66-49; 84-70.
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