By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE Blackwater Elite kickstarted their Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup campaign on a high, winning over the Meralco Bolts, 94-91, in overtime in the tournament opener on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Found themselves in a tight contest throughout, the Elite dug deep and found ways to extricate themselves from the Bolts in the end to book their first win in the midseason tournament of the premier local pro league.
The Bolts would get early traction to start the contest only for the Elite to catch up with them.
It was a knotted match at 11-all by the 5:38 mark of the opening quarter after which a back-and-forth ensued between the two teams.
When the first-quarter smoke cleared though it was Meralco on top by two points, 19-17.
The nip-and-tuck affair continued in the second frame as the two teams did not allow one another to create match distance.
The count was at 37-all with a minute and 18 seconds to go at the half before Meralco import Gani Lawal Jr. and rookie Trevis Jackson conspired for a five-point finishing kick to give their team a 42-37 lead by halftime.
Meralco picked up from where it left off to start the third period, going on an 8-2 blast to extend their advantage to 11 points, 50-39, with just two minutes lapsing.
After suing for time, Blackwater made an 8-0 blast, on the lead of import Alex Stepheson and debuting rookie Ray Parks Jr., to narrow the gap anew, 50-47, at the 7:48 mark.
The Elite kept charging back, eventually tying things at 52-all with five minutes to go.
Blackwater used it as leverage on its way to go on top, 64-63, heading into the fourth quarter.
Like in the previous quarter the Bolts would gallop to start the final canto as guard Mike Tolomia racked up seven quick points to build a 70-64 lead a minute into the period.
Mr. Parks pulled the Elite to within two points, 70-68, after three minutes with back-to-back baskets.
But the Bolts managed to distance themselves once again, 76-70, with six minutes remaining in the match.
The Elite, however, were undeterred by it, pulling even at 76-all a minute after.
They outsprinted the Bolts, 84-80, entering the last two minutes before Mr. Lawal pushed Meralco to even things, 85-all, with 47 seconds left.
Blackwater had a chance to go up anew but Mr. Stepheson muffed his free throws with 22 ticks go to give Meralco a chance to go up.
Off a timeout, Mr. Jackson found himself in the position to win the game for Meralco but his pull-up jumper failed to connect as time wound up, sending the game into extra time.
The two teams fought to an 87-87 count entering the last two minutes in overtime before Mr. Stepheson hand the lead to Blackwater, 89-87, with a dunk with 1:36 to play.
Mr. Lawal tied the game, 89-all, with a jumper with 51 ticks left only to be answered by Mac Belo 18 seconds later to make it 91-89.
Meralco tried to claw its way back from it and had a shot at tying the game being down by only three points, 94-91, with nine seconds remaining.
No luck would come to the Bolts though as Mr. Lawal’s potential game-tying triple did not go through as time expired.
Mr. Stepheson led Blackwater with 21 points and 31 rebounds.
Mike DiGregorio also had 21 points for the Elite while Mr. Parks had 20 points and eight boards.
Mr. Lawal paced Meralco with 34 points and 21 rebounds.
“Happy that the players stuck together against a Meralco team which is strong in import-laden tournaments. They stuck to our game plan and worked hard till the end,” said debuting Blackwater coach Aries Dimaunahan postgame.
Blackwater returns on Friday, May 24, versus defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings while Meralco plays on the same date against the Columbian Dyip.
