By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE Blackwater Elite and Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters, two teams currently on a roll in the PBA Philippine Cup, take on separate opponents today, looking to sustain their fine form and position themselves well in the race moving forward.

PBA Standings

Blackwater, winner of its last two games, faces off with the TNT KaTropa in the main game set for 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum while Phoenix, also riding a two-game ascent, clashes with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the opener at 4:30 p.m.

The Elite (2-1) collide with the KaTropa coming off an impressive 94-77 victory over the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings on Jan. 12.

Banking on a thorough attack on both ends of the court, the Leo Isaac-coached Elite held their own against a loaded Ginebra crew and underscored their standing as a potential dark horse in the Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) season-opening tournament.

JP Erram led Blackwater’s charge in the win over the Kings, winning player of the game honors on the strength of a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds to go along with six block shots.

Sophomore Mac Belo had 22 points and seven boards while Allein Maliksi came off the bench to chip in 17 points and seven rebounds.

“This is a huge win for us and a good start for us in 2018. The win boosts our confidence as individual players and as a team,” Mr. Erram said following their win.

“We just followed Coach Leo’s game plan and stuck with the system and put in the needed effort,” he added as described what did it for them against the Kings.

Out to stop Blackwater is TNT (1-2), which lost in its last outing.

Jayson Castro leads the KaTropa with averages of 15 points, 7.7 rebounds, eight assists and 1.3 steals per ball game.

Troy Rosario has been good for 14.7 points and 11.3 rebounds while Roger Pogoy is producing 11.3 points and five rebounds.

PHOENIX RISING
The Fuel Masters, meanwhile, sent the NLEX Road Warriors to a 102-95 loss in their last assignment on Jan. 7, anchored on much balance with at least six players scoring in double digits.

Matthew Wright was at the forefront, finishing with 19 points as veteran Jeff Chan fired 18 markers.

RJ Jazul finished with 15 points while rookie Jason Perkins added 14. Justin Chua and Doug Kramer were the two other Phoenix players in double-digits with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

“Key for us in this win was our defense especially against their perimeter guys. It is one of the strengths of NLEX and good thing we were able to execute what we set out to do,” said Phoenix coach Louie Alas.

Meanwhile, Magnolia Hotshots’ Paul Lee is the latest recipient of the PBA Player of the Week honors after averaging 17 points, four assists, two rebounds and 1.5 blocks in their two wins over Kia Picanto and NLEX.

In winning the award Mr. Lee beat out Alaska’s Calvin Abueva, Vic Manuel and Chris Banchero, GlobalPort’s Stanley Pringle, Blackwater’s Erram and Belo, and San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos.

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