Blackwater erased a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit to top Phoenix, 106-100, and halt a three-game losing slump in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
Trailing 86-77 heading into the final frame, the Bossing staged a late surge to turn the game around. Phoenix briefly held a 93-92 lead following a basket by Ricci Rivero, but RK Ilagan answered with a clutch three-pointer to put Blackwater back on top, 95-93, with 3:26 remaining.
That bucket sparked a decisive 11-0 run, highlighted by defensive stops, free throws from Sedrick Barefield, an Ilagan fastbreak layup off a turnover, and timely buckets from Troy Mallillin to seal the victory.
“We contained them and we played good defense,” Blackwater head coach Pat Aquino said during the post-game press conference.
Kentrell Barkley led the Bossing with a powerhouse double-double of 34 points and 16 rebounds, while Barefield provided strong local support with 26 points. Ilagan also chipped in 15 points and six rebounds to help Blackwater elevate its record to 3-3.
Despite a explosive 45-point performance from import BJ Johnson, the Fuel Masters dropped to 4-2, knocking them out of sole possession of first place in Group B and tying them with Rain or Shine.
- Quarter Scores: 30-32, 62-59, 77-86, 106-100.
- Blackwater (106): Barkley 34, Barefield 26, Ilagan 15, Una 8, Mallillin 8, Tratter 7, Austria 6, Demusis 2, Mendoza 0, Panopio 0, Dumont 0, Escoto 0.
- Phoenix (100): Johnson 45, Rivero 15, Ballungay 12, Tuffin 7, Perkins 5, Santos 5, Mamuyac 4, Tio 3, Chua 2, Delos Santos 0.