BLACKWATER coach Jeff Cariaso commended the Bossing for playing good defense in what had been the lowest-scoring game so far in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Unfortunately, the Bossing couldn’t put in the same impressive effort on the offensive end and suffered an 84-75 loss to Eastern that kept them winless through three outings on Tuesday night at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
READ Eastern clamps down on Blackwater, wins second in a row
Featuring replacement import Christopher McLaughlin, Eastern was held to its second lowest output in the tournament after averaging 101.2 points in its first four outings.
But as good as their defense was, the Bossing couldn’t make their shots, especially in the third quarter when Eastern outscored them 27-9 to turn the game around.
“I felt like we did a good job defensively, decent defensively. Limiting them to 84 points which I think is good,” said Cariaso. “But at the end of the day, it’s about being able to put the ball in the basket. And we were not able to do that lalo na nung second half.”
The 0-3 Bossing played well in the first half and actually led 49-39 at the half as explosive import George King already had 31 points during the break.
But King went cold, returning rookie Sedric Barefield misfired as well, and Rey Suerte was the only other local to play well offensively for Blackwater.
“We hit a wall in that third quarter where we couldn’t score,” Cariaso pointed out. “No one shot at a high percentage to help us out offensively.”
Blackwater ended up shooting only 31 percent from the field (22-of-71).
“Part of the whole big picture is not relying on just one person. As prolific and such a great scorer and player George is, he still needs help. He understands that well. It’s just everyone else stepping up and being ready, George moving the ball a little bit more, and guys just being ready to contribute,” said Cariaso.
The loss was a tough one for Blackwater as it faces ‘hell week’ in which it takes on Meralco on Thursday and then San Miguel on Sunday.
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.
