BLACKWATER’s conference isn’t over just yet.
George King scored 49 points and the Bossing pounced on the absence of Jordan Adams to defeat San Miguel, 111-94, on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to stay alive in the playoff hunt of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
READ: Uncertainty for SMB, Adams as import suffers strained hamstring
The Bossing joined NLEX in a tie for fourth place with a 4-5 win-loss slate with a huge victory over the Beermen, their first since October 6, 2022, and only their second in the last 14 meetings, according to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon.
More importantly, Blackwater remains in the hunt for the quarterfinal slot ahead of its meeting against Rain or Shine on Monday.
READ: NLEX, Blackwater dispute final QFs spot in Group B
The Beermen ended the eliminations with a 6-4 win-loss record, dropping their second straight loss following their defeat over Rain or Shine last Thursday.
King shot 14-of-29 from the field, and even nailed four fours in the contest. He also hauled 11 rebounds for the Bossing.
“We know the situation going to tonight. Our backs are really against the wall so that’s how we look at it,” said Blackwater coach Jeff Cariaso, who won for the first time against San Miguel in his role with the Bossing.
Adams didn’t play for San Miguel due to a strained hamstring he sustained during its game against Rain or Shine last Thursday.
“The guys just not willing to give up yet. I think this shows character on our side. It shows the kind of team that we want to be. As you can tell, even without an import, San Miguel is still very, very strong. We know the case would have been different with an import there. The results, we don’t know but it would have been different,” said Cariaso.
“But the effort guys put in tonight, George leading us in all categories, being the import that we need from him was really tremendous. We want to stay alive tonight,” Cariaso said.
The Bossing went on a 12-0 run with George King nailing a four-point shot during that stretch and post a 99-77 lead. Blackwater even led by as many as 25 points, 107-82, in the fourth.
June Mar Fajardo had 23 points and 12 rebounds, and CJ Perez added 21 points and eight rebounds but Adams’ absence proved to be the difference.
The scores:
Blackwater 111 – King 49, Barefield 14, Chua 9, David 6, Rosario 6, Kwekuyete 5, Ilagan 4, Casio 4, Escoto 4, Jopia 4, Suerte 4, Corteza 2, Mitchell 0, Ponferrada 0, Montalbo 0.
San Miguel 94 – Fajardo 23, Perez 21, Romeo 15, Lassiter 5, Rosales 5, Trollano 5, Cruz 4, Brondial 4, Nava 4, Teng 4, Manuel 2, Jimenez 2, Ross 0.
Quarters: 30-21; 52-43; 85-72; 111-94.
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