ANTIPOLO CITY, Philippines – Ray Parks did not really find it surprising that Blackwater has catapulted to the top of the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup even after finishing the Philippine Cup at the cellar.

Blackwater has had a complete reversal of fortune from the All-Filipino conference as it claimed solo lead in the standings of the mid-season tournament with a 132-106 blowout of NLEX on Saturday, June 8.

The Elite improved to a league-leading 5-1 record – a far cry from their woeful 2-9 finish last conference. 

“I felt like the 2-9 record the team had in the first conference didn’t really reflect how good of a team this is,” said Parks, who missed the Philippine Cup due to his commitments to Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League. 

“I’m just here to help and everybody’s getting their confidence, everybody’s getting their bearings.”

A testament to Blackwater’s resurgence is its 26-point romp now ranks as the largest winning margin in franchise history, according to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon.

The Elite’s 132 points are also the all-time franchise most in a game, the current season-high and the most scored by any team since Phoenix blasted NorthPort, 132-91, in the 2018 Governors’ Cup. 

“The goal is to just put ourselves in a position to succeed in the playoffs. Right now, we’re just taking it one game at a time and we’ll go from there,” Parks said. 

Blackwater will test its mettle against perennial title contender San Miguel at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, June 14. – Rappler.com