BLACKWATER finally notched a win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, posting a 114-98 victory over a badly-undermanned and import-less Meralco side Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Bossing went to import George King and top rookie Sedric Barefield in the final quarter as the duo delivered to give the team its first victory in four outings so far.
Barefield finished with 33 points and spearheaded a 16-3 run to turn an 86-85 deficit to a 101-89 lead which the Bossing never relinquished.
The No.2 overall pick in the last draft, Barefield also had five rebounds and nine assists, while King had 32 and 14 rebounds. The Fil-Am guard and import combined for 17 of the Bossing’s 31 points in the fourth period.
“It’s a good win for us. We didn’t start the conference how we wanted, but coach told me this morning ‘don’t let the past linger. He told me he has confidence in me. I took that to heart and got me prepared for the day,” said Barefield after the game.
Meralco played all-Filipino as import DJ Kennedy is down with a calf injury, though he was in playing uniform and sat on the team bench at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
But other than Kennedy, the Bolts also had six local players nursing injuries in Chris Banchero, Allein Maliksi, Raymond Almazan, Brandon Bates, and rookie CJ Cansino.
Still, the Bolts did give the Bossing some scare especially after going on a 14-2 run to reverse a nine point deficit for an 86-85 lead on a three pointer by Chris Newsome.
But Blackwater went to Barefield and King following a timeout and the duo responded by putting together the biggest run of the game and put the Bossing back in control.
Newsome hit for a team-high 22 points and seven rebounds, Bong Quinto added 19 despite playing through a knee injury, while Cliff Hodge with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds in the Bolts’ first loss in four outings.
The scores
Blackwater (114) -- Barefield 33, King 32, David 17, Kwekuteye 10, Ilagan 6, Suerte 6, Casio 4, Chua 4, Montalbo 2, Jopia 0, Escoto 0, Hill 0, Guinto 0.
Meralco (98) -- Newsome 22, Quinto 19, Hodge 13, Black 12, Jose 8, Reyson 7, Rios 5, Torres 5, Caram 4, Pasaol 3, Pascual 0.
Quarterscores: 28-21; 48-49; 83-79; 114-98.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
