BARAKO Bull exposed some of the weaknesses of expansion team Blackwater, the Energy forcing the Elite to several turnovers in the last five minutes to pull off a 94-93 win in their preseason game on Wednesday at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.
Elite Leo Isaac did not like the way Blackwater closed the match, blowing a 12-point fourth-quarter lead as it succumbed to the pressure of Barako’s trapping defense.
“We need to learn more on situations like this. Nagulat sila sa sitwasyon, but we’ll learn. Eh sabi ko, good thing is we were able to compete with them,” Isaac said.
The Elite closed out their preseason against PBA teams at 2-2.
Blackwater makes its much-awaited PBA debut when it clashes with fellow expansion squad KIA Motors on Sunday, just shortly after the opening rites of the pro league’s 40th season at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
The Elite topped the Sorentos, 88-77, two weeks ago in Binan, Laguna.
Dispersal draft pick up Alex Nuyles led Blackwater with 22 points, while Eddie Laure added 15.
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