Sports

Blackwater inflicts first loss on Ginebra with stunning win

January 12, 2018

JAY R. GOTERA



Saudi Gazette

MANILA — The Blackwater Elite showed they are no longer the pushovers in the PBA as they stunned the mighty Barangay Ginebra Kings, 94-77, in the Philippine Cup on Friday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It was Blackwater’s second straight win after starting the conference with a loss. More significantly, it was also the Elite’s first-ever victory over the Kings in an all-Filipino conference and just the second in 10 meetings overall. Ginebra suffered its first loss after a 2-0 start.

Big man John Paul Erram emerged the winner in his battle with Ginebra’s twin towers of Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar as Blackwater’s 6’8” center posted a team-high 22 points on top of 11 boards and four blocks.

Resurgent Mac Belo also scored 22 points on top of seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals, in 30 minutes as a starter. Belo nailed two of his four three-pointers late in the game as the Elite pulled away en route to the huge 17-point victory.

Allein Maliksi came off the bench to add 17 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, along with seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals in over 25 minutes of play.

The Elite humbled the Kings on both ends of the court, limiting Ginebra to a paltry 36.7-percent shooting (29-of-79 shots) from the field.

Slaughter led Ginebra with 20 points and 10 rebounds. LA Tenorio finished with 16 points, six assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Aguilar and Scottie Thompson chipped in 14 and 12 markers, respectively, that all went down the drain.

GlobalPort 78, Rain or Shine 70

The GlobalPort Batang Pier put the clamps on the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters as they leaned on the hot hands of Stanley Pringle to score a 78-70 victory, their first after starting the conference at 0-2.

The Batang Pier held the Painters to a measly 29 percent shooting from the field (25 of 86 shots), the lowest shooting percentage in the season so far.

On the offensive end, Pringle showed the way, firing a team-high 29 points along with nine rebounds in 37 minutes of action. The former Rookie of the Year was red-hot from the get-go, firing 20 of his points, including five three-pointers, in the first half.

New big man recruit Kelly Nabong added 12 points and 13 boards while Bradwyn Guinto contributed 10 points and nine rebounds.

Sean Anthony, who exploded for 29 points in a losing effort against Ginebra last Sunday, was held to just 3 points, hitting just 1 of 11 from the field. However, he still had a double-double of 13 rebounds and 12 assists along with four steals.

GlobalPort was in full command for most parts of the game. Rain or Shine came to within a point of tying the score, 61-62, with 7:16 left. But the Batang Pier unleashed an 8-0 run en route to victory.

Rain or Shine suffered a second straight loss after starting the conference with a win. Gabe Norwood led the Painters with 15 points and eight boards. Mark Borboran added 13 points while Maverick Ahanmisi chipped in 10 in a losing effort.

Game on Saturday, Jan. 13: San Miguel Beermen (2-0) vs. TNT KaTropa Texters (1-1)


January 12, 2018
HIGHLIGHTS
Sports
5 days ago

Neom FC clinches First Division spot with a thrilling victory over Al Zulfi

Sports
5 days ago

Hiba Al Owaidi becomes first female main referee in Saudi Women's League

Sports
6 days ago

Salem Al Dawsari's goal secures Saudi victory over Tajikistan in World Cup qualifiers