ALLAN Mangahas and Mark Cruz spearheaded as fourth quarter surge as Blackwater Sports weathered a tough stand by Derulo Accelero, 96-93, on Monday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the JCSGO Gym in Quezon City.
Mangahas and Cruz combined for 20 of the defending champion’s 30 points in the final period to thwart the upset-conscious Oilers, which led by 10 early in the game.
The Elite improved their record to 2-2, while keeping the Oilers winless in five outings.
“We don’t want to be the victim of Derulo,” said Blackwater Sports coach Leo Isaac. “Kailangang trabahuin pa rin namin. And good enough, nagising sila.”
“Biro nga ng mga officials, gisingin mo mga players mo dahil maaga ang game,” Isaac said, referring to the 10 a.m. start time of the match.
A 12-0 run, six coming from Mangahas, put Blackwater ahead for good, 80-79.
Cruz delivered the key blows, hitting a four-point play with 2:12 remaining for an 89-83 lead before Mangahas scored a running shot and Don Trollano hit a short jumper for Blackwater’s biggest advantage at eight points.
Despite the deficit, Derulo Accelero was still able to comeback in the final seconds but Clark Bautista’s three-point attempt to send the game into overtime didn’t go in.
Mangahas finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Cruz added 14, shooting four-for-four from the three-point area. Gilbert Bulawan and Reil Cervantes added 13 markers.
Jiovanni Jalalon had 12 of his 22 points in the third period that saw Derulo Accelero take a 64-54 lead although they failed to hold on.
The scores:
Blackwater Sports (96) – Mangahas 18, M. Cruz 14, Bulawan 13, Cervantes 13, Trollano 8, Ciriacruz 7, J. Cruz 6, Hernandez 4, Ferrer 4, Llagas 4, Pinto 3, Pe 2, Manguera 0, Austria 0.
Derulo Accelero (93) – Jalalon 22, Juico 20, Soyud 19, Bautista 14, Corpuz 4, Mendoza 4, Importante 4, Roncal 2, Acosta 2, Morillo 2.
Quarterscores: 24-19; 38-38; 72-66; 96-93.
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