Blackwater arrested a fourth-quarter meltdown and held on to a 96-89 win over NorthPort for a triumphant start in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga on Monday, October 12.

Four players scored in double figures as the Elite showed poise down the stretch, weathering a late Batang Pier storm to give head coach Nash Racela a fitting return to the league.

Roi Sumang chalked up 17 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals, the last of which virtually sealed the win for Blackwater, while Don Trollano also delivered 17 points and 10 rebounds.

NorthPort shaved a 17-point deficit in the last quarter to 89-93 but it fell short of its comeback as a Sumang steal led to a wide-open Ed Daquioag layup, which put Blackwater up by 6 points with 30 ticks left.

Paul Desiderio sealed the win for the Elite with a free throw.

Daquioag finished with 13 points and 6 rebounds, Mac Belo wound up with 16 points and 6 rebounds, while Marion Magat and Mike Tolomia each had 8 points in the victory.

“We had a rough start because we were overeager to play. We managed each other and we helped each other to get the win,” Belo said in Filipino.

The Batang Pier built a 47-38 halftime lead behind the dominant inside play of Christian Standhardinger but they fell apart in the second half, allowing the Elite to outscore them 41-18 in the 3rd quarter.

Standhardinger anchored NorthPort with 23 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals, while Sean Anthony had 22 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists in the losing effort.

The Scores

Blackwater 96 – Trollano 17, Sumang 17, Belo 16, Daquioag 13, Tolomia 8, Magat 8 , Desiderio 4 , Canaleta 3, Dennison 3, Salem 3, Golla 2, Shaw 2, Dario 0, Gabriel 0.

NorthPort 89 – Standhardinger 23, Anthony 22 , Lanete 14, Elorde 7, Nabong 7, Taha 2, Manganti 3, Cruz 2, Ferrer 3 , Subido 3, Revilla 0.

Quarters : 21-25, 38-47, 79-65, 96-89.

– Rappler.com