BLACKWATER ELITE gave their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup quarterfinal push a big boost yesterday with a telling victory over the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 118-107, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Notching their fifth win in 10 games with still a game to play, the Elite have booked a quarterfinal spot while shutting the door on the Batang Pier (3-7) from advancing to the next round.
Getting loaded contributions from different sources, Blackwater turned a close game in the opening period to a wide-margin affair for the most part over GlobalPort, which played the last two and a half quarters of the contest sans top gunner Terrence Romeo, who was ejected in the second quarter.
The two teams went back and forth in the first quarter, making runs and counter-runs to end the frame, 31-29, with Blackwater ahead.
In the second quarter the Elite pulled away, outscoring the Batang Pier, 20-8, in the first six minutes to build a 14-point lead, 51-37.
Things turned worse for GlobalPort during that stretch as Mr. Romeo, who was one top scorers of the team at that point with 13, got ejected for throwing the ball at Blackwater import Henry Walker after what he felt was an unnecessary second motion by the American.
Blackwater went on to finish things still on top at the half, 62-50.
The collective explosion continued for the Elite in the third canto with Mr. Walker and newly acquired Allein Maliksi leading the charge.
GlobalPort tried to answer back with import Murphey Holloway and Stanley Pringle taking up the cudgels but their opponents were not to relent and stay ahead, 92-77, after three quarters.
But the Batang Pier were not to quit easy, fighting their way back in the payoff quarter.
They were able to cut their deficit to six points, 111-105, with 1:51 remaining on the clock.
Blackwater though would gather itself thereafter and held on for the quarterfinal-clinching victory.
Mr. Maliksi, who made his Blackwater debut, finished with 22 points on top of five rebounds, an assist and a steal.
Mr. Walker tallied a near triple-double of 19 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists to go along with five blocks.
Roi Sumang had 21 and Michael DiGregorio finished with 16 points.
Mr. Holloway led GlobalPort with 28 points and 23 rebounds while Mr. Pringle wound up with 27 points.
“I give credit to my new teammates for giving me the confidence. They pushed me to my potential and I’m happy to have helped the team advance to the quarterfinals,” said Mr. Maliksi after the contest.
Blackwater plays their final game in the elimination round on Saturday against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters where they hope to put itself a favorable position in the next round while GlobalPort takes on the Meralco Bolts on Friday for their last game of the season. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
