BLACKWATER stretched its hot start in the PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup, routing Converge, 90-78, on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Bossing led from start to finish, even taking a 35-point lead at one point in the terribly lopsided game to gain the solo lead in the eliminations with a 3-0 win-loss record, continuing their stellar start this conference.
Blackwater is now one win away from the best unbeaten start in franchise history which it achieved during the 2018 Governors’ Cup. It also equaled its 3-0 mark to begin the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup to become the unlikely leader of the conference.
In contrast, Converge dropped deeper into the cellar after a third successive defeat - and seventh straight going back to the Commissioner's Cup of a season where the FiberXers are 1-13 overall.
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Christian David, the No. 2 overall pick in this season’s draft, led the Bossing with 16 points, kickstarting its offense with eight first-quarter points.
Rey Suerte had 14 points, while RK Ilagan added 12 points, all of which came in the second quarter where the Bossing opened a 58-29 lead at the half.
Blackwater eventually led, 70-35, in the third quarter in a fitting birthday gift for its team owner Dioceldo Sy.
Alec Stockton had a team-high 24 points, while Justin Arana added 18 points, but Blackwater coach Jeff Cariaso was glad on how the team defended the two players.
“To me, the focus on defense is really something that we are really happy about in regards to our execution tonight,” said Cariaso. “We came in with a game plan on how to defend Justin. He is a hard cover. We knew he is going to be important to defend. And Alec is playing the best in his career.”
“Every game, there’s guys like that in other teams. We have a game plan on how we want to defend. And tonight, I’m happy with the way we came out and defended the two in particular,” added Cariaso.
The scores:
Blackwater 90 – David 16, Suerte 14, Ilagan 12, Escoto 12, Rosario 10, Nambatac 7, Yap 5, DiGregorio 3, Sena 3, Tungcab 2, Kwekuteye 2, Guinto 2, Hill 2, Concepcion 0, Jopia 0.
Converge 78 – Stockton 24, Winston 22, Arana 18, Vigan-Fleming 6, Fornilos 3, Balanza 2, Delos Santos 2, Maagdenberg 1, Melecio 0, Nieto 0, Ambohot 0, Zaldivar 0, Santos 0, Caralipio 0.
Quarters: 30-14; 58-29; 76-50; 90-78.
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