CHICAGO - The Blackwater Bossing played the first half of tonight's game at such a torrid pace it made me think an Uber bus was waiting for them outside the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
They scored 68 points at the half, which was 37 more than the Timberwolves scored in the first two quarters of their 99-88 Game One conference semifinals loss to the ageless but banged up Golden State Warriors this morning.
Unfortunately, and sadly predictably, the Bossing flamed out like puppy love.
READ Keith Datu catches fire with 27 points in ROS win over Blackwater
After cresting at 91 points at the end of the third quarter, the Bossings managed just 15 in the fourth quarter, allowing the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to escape with a 120-106 victory.
With their ineptness and vicious cycle of losing, watching Blackwater play is dull as watching paint dry. And I watched tonight's late-game flogging only because the paint was Rain or Shine.
With coach Yeng Guiao as the maestro, the Elasto Painters are a symphony of community play, and hence, a joy to behold.
TWO-WAY THREAT.
They hit 45 of 90 field goals tonight, outrebounded Blackwater, 53-42, won the assists battle, 23-16, while committing three less turnovers than the Bossing's 13.
Keith Datu re-established himself as PBA royalty with a 27-point romp plus six rebounds and three dimes. Adrian Nocum added 23 while five other Elasto Painters finished in double figures in scoring to drown Blackwater with their depth.
With a 3-2 record and a healthy line-up for coach Yeng to tinker with, Rain or Shine, a semifinalist in the Commissioner's Cup, is poised for another deep post-season.
As for Blackwater?
Despite hitting 15 shots from beyond the three-point arc including three four-pointers, the Bossing suffered a fourth straight loss and sunk to their familiar place at the bottom of the standings alongside perennial doormat Terrafirma.
Christian David and Sedrick Barefield are two of the best players in the league, and that showed with their combined output of 51 points against a relentless, physical Rain or Shine defense.
It's a shame that they aren't showcasing their skills in a winning franchise.
SURVIVING GINEBRA.
On the heels of a three-game winning streak, NLEX had the golden opportunity to fortify their hold of second place in the overall standings.
And they did just that by withstanding a furious, Stephen-Holt-led fourth-quarter Ginebra rally to beat the Kings, 89-86, in the nightcap of Wednesday's double-header.
Led by Bolicks' 28 points, six rebounds and four assists, NLEX showed tremendous poise after losing a 17-point lead.
After previously spanking sister team TNT, 91-74, last April 23, the Road Warriors have now slain two giants in the league.
But unless they beat Magnolia, the jury is still out if Jong Uichico and his chargers really are legit or pretending title contenders.
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