BLACKWATER kept its flickering quarterfinals hopes alive, while NorthPort caught another big fish Tuesday night in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.
The Bossing bucked the absence of high-scoring import George King and stunned Phoenix, 100-92, to improve to a 3-8 record - still in the running for the eighth and last quarterfinals berth.
READ: Import-less Blackwater plays best game yet in stunner vs Phoenix
The Batang Pier, on the other hand, survived a big fourth quarter scare from San Miguel and escaped with a 105-104 thriller on a basket by import Kadeem Jack with 16 seconds left to preserve the win even after failing to protect a 24-point lead.
READ: Kadeem the redeemer as NorthPort averts major collapse vs SMB
The Batang Pier moved back to second-place for a tie with Converge at 8-3, with a chance of earning a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.
The Fuel Masters now carry a 3-8 slate, as they lost for the third straight game, while the Beermen absorbed back-to-back losses for a three-way logjam at No. 8 with Magnolia and NLEX at 4-6.
READ: What happens if SMB, NLEX, Magnolia end up tied at eighth?
Here are the takeaways in the two exciting games at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
1. BOSSING PRIMING UP FOR PHILIPPINE CUP
Not only did the win over Phoenix give life to Blackwater's quarterfinals bid, it was also a testament to the promising local roster the team has that augurs well for its next campaign in the All-Filipino conference.
Justin Chua, Christian David, Mike Ayonayon, Jaydee Tungcab, James Kuwekuteye, and veterans Javee Casio and Jewel Ponferrada played well against a Fuel Masters team that failed to take advantage of import Donovan Smith's inside presence. A healthy rookie Sedrick Barefield will also give Blackwater a shot in the arm in the Philippine Cup.
2. PORTENT OF THINGS TO COME FOR NORTHPORT
Although a bit shaky in the endgame against the Beermen, just like they were against Barangay Ginebra earlier in the conference, the fact remains that the Batang Pier has beaten all three SMC teams in a conference for the first time in franchise history.
That paints a brighter pricture for NorthPort’s bid for a first-ever twice-to-beat advantage and hopefully, a deeper run into the playoffs.
3. IMPORT CONTINUES TO BE SMB’S WATERLOO
The Beermen hardly got the contributions they needed from new import Malik Pope, who finished with only four points and eight rebounds in 24 minutes of play. The reinforcement was actually on the bench when San Miguel made a serious run in the final period that saw it even take the lead, 104-103, with 26 seconds to go.
Pope is SMB's fourth reinforcement this conference after Quincy Miller, Torren Jones, and Jabari Narcis. Don’t be surprised if San Miguel brings in another import, especially if it advances to the playoffs and tries a last push in defending its title.
For now, however, the proud franchise's quarterfinals bid remains up in the air.
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