Blackwater gets first win at Mahindra’s expense

MANILA, Philippines – The Blackwater Elite earned its first win in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup after defeating the Mahindra Enforcers, 110-102, on Sunday, February 14, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Superb games by import MJ Rhett and Carlo Lastimosa plus big 3-pointers down the stretch by Reil Cervantes and Art Dela Cruz proved vital in the Elite’s bounce-back win. 

Coming off a loss to the import-less Tropang TNT, Blackwater shot 51% from the field and 10-of-23 from downtown, plus dominated the paint with 52 points.

“The challenge was for everybody play honest defense,” Elite head coach Leo Isaac said post-game.

“Our import is slowly getting there,” he talked about Rhett, who finished with 19 points, 18 rebounds, and 3 assists – much better than the 16-point, 7-rebound performance he had in his debut.

“He’s also being challenged by everybody, including management to come up with a better performance. He knows his spot is not secured until he proves he can play as an import who dominates and helps our franchise get wins in the second conference,” said Isaac.

“We find potential in him,” the head coach added. “We saw all his footages… we believe he can be a good import if he can adjust quickly to our brand of play.”

Lastimosa, who’s building a reputation as a top-tier scorer in the PBA, posted 26 points and 6 rebounds, while Cervantes netted 24 points off the bench. Dela Cruz pitched in with 19 points.

Mahindra was led by its import, Augustus Gilchrist, who posted 34 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Karl Dehesa and KG Canaleta posted 14 and 13 points, respectively.

The game was still in the balance when Cervantes made two free throws to put Blackwater up 93-90 with 4:55 to go. 

After a few empty possessions by both teams which only saw Gilchrist make one charity, Cervantes hit a 3-ball from the wing to make it a 96-91 game with 3:48 left. 

Aldrech Ramos then missed a 3-ball for the Enforcers, and that play was followed by another Cervantes triple with 3:13 to go.

Both teams then went scoreless for the next minute, until the rookie Dela Cruz converted a 3-pointer to put the Elite ahead 102-91 with 2:02 left, essentially sealing the win.

Mahindra, now 1-1, will aim to bounce back on Saturday, February 20, when it takes on San Miguel. The 1-1 Elite, on the other hand, will face Alaska on Friday, February 19.

Scores:

Blackwater (110): Lastimosa 26, Cervantes 24, Dela Cruz 19, Rhett 19, Reyes 12, Cortez 5, Gamalinda 2, Golla 2, Bulawan 1, Canada 0

Mahindra (102): Gilchrist 34, Dehesa 14, Canaleta 13, Ramos 10, Yee 8, Jaime 7, Bagatsing 5, Pinto 5, Digregorio 2, Guinto 2, Revilla 2, Alvarez 0, Hubalde 0

Quarter scores: 25-20, 43-49, 77-75, 110-102 – Rappler.com