MANILA, Philippines – Blackwater secured its ticket to the playoffs with a 104-99 overtime victory over Magnolia in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, July 5.

Roi Sumang took over in the extra period by scattering 9 of his 19 points in overtime as the Elite stopped a two-game slide to improve to 6-3 and gave import Staphon Blair a triumphant league debut. 

Scoreless in the first 3 quarters, Sumang scored 10 points in the 4th period and showed the way for Blackwater in overtime by hitting a triple that gave his side a 94-87 lead and a pair of freebies that essentially sealed the win. 

Blair – Blackwater’s third reinforcement after Alex Stepheson and Jameel McKay – contributed 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 blocks, while Mike Digregorio chipped in 15 points on 4 triples with 3 rebounds and 2 steals. 

Allein Maliksi fired 14 points with 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Ray Parks bucked a rough shooting night to finish with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists for Blackwater. 

The Hotshots managed to trim their deficit to 93-96 with more than a minute left before Parks drained a three-pointer and the Elite managed to protect their lead until the final buzzer. 

Paul Lee delivered 25 points – including the 4 free throws that sent the game to overtime – on top of 8 assists and 6 rebounds, but Magnolia failed to extend its winning run to 6 games as it fell to 5-3. 

Import James Farr had 23 points, 20 rebounds, and 4 blocks, while Jio Jalalon and Mark Barroca added 14 and 13 points, respectively, in the losing effort. 

The Scores

Blackwater 104 – Sumang 19, Digregorio 15, Maliksi 14, Blair 14, Parks 11, Belo 9, Al-Hussaini 9, Alolino 5, Cortez 4, Sena 4, Banal 0.

Magnolia 99 – Lee 25, Farr 23, Jalalon 14, Barroca 13, Brondial 6, Sangalang 4, Dela Rosa 4, Melton 3, Pingris 3, Herndon 2, Pascual 2, Simon 0.

Quarters: 23-23, 39-43, 61-61, 84-84 (reg.), 104-99 (OT). 

– Rappler.com