Sumang posts career-high 32 as Blackwater hangs on to beat NLEX

MANILA, Philippines – The Blackwater Elite held on to a 107-106 victory to squeak past the NLEX Road Warriors in the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup on Friday, August 18 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The high-scoring affair witnessed back-and-forth lead changes between the two teams especially in the closing quarter. NLEX had an opportunity to seal the game with the a second remaining on the clock, but Larry Fonacier failed to convert the catch-and-shoot basket as Blackwater ran away with a one-point win.

Henry Walker, who helped Blackwater score a breakthrough Govs’ Cup win through his double-double debut performance versus Phoenix, finished with 29 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 assists in a match against NLEX, his former team last season.

Sumang kept his team afloat in the second quarter, where he scored 17 of his career-high 32 points to lead the offensive charge for Blackwater.

Mike DiGregorio meanwhile became a bright spot for Blackwater in the second half, and he wound up with 18 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists.

Kevin Alas topscored for NLEX with 19 markers coupled with 11 boards off the bench , while reinforcement Aaron Fuller delivered a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The game also marked Cyrus Baguio’s reunion with former mentor Yeng Guiao, whom he worked with during his Red Bull Barako days in the league. The veteran player pitched in 7 points on 3-of-6 shooting to go with 2 rebounds and 2 assists for NLEX.

With the win, Blackwater moves up to 2-3, while NLEX remains in hunt of the crucial 6th win in the season-ending conference. – Rappler.com