A MONUMENTAL upset. That’s what No. 8 Blackwater pulled off after Allein Maliksi’s go-ahead jumper with 9.5 seconds remaining lifted the underdog to an exciting 92-91 stunner over top seed Meralco to live to fight for another day in the quarterfinals of the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City last night.
Henry Walker was spectacular, scoring 19 of his game-high 30 points in the fourth quarter to go with his 18 rebounds and six assists as he led Blackwater to the improbable upset win over the heavily favored Bolts, who came in equipped with a twice-to-beat advantage.
However, it was Maliksi who displayed his clutch genes in the final minute by scoring the team’s last four points, including the eventual game-winner.
Down by a point, 90-91, with 15 seconds left, the Elite went to Maliksi and the pure scorer delivered as his jumper in the free throw line went through the bottom of the net to give his squad the lead, 92-91, with Meralco having one more chance to steal the game with less than 10 seconds left.
But the Bolts were unable to convert after Mike Tolomia’s long floater back-ironed at the buzzer, allowing the Elite to complete the stunning upset and to force a do-or-die game between the two tomorrow to see who will move forward to the semifinals.
Meralco looked for either Allen Durham or Baser Amer but Blackwater’s stingy defense prevented them from having looks, forcing Tolomia to launch the shot before the clock expired.
Meanwhile, No. 4 Star, armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, is looking to be the first team through to the semis as it is working on eliminating No. 5 NLEX as of this report.
The winner between the Bolts and the Elite tomorrow in their sudden death will face the victor between the Hotshots and the Road Warriors in the best-of-five semis.
Maliksi finished with 15 points while Mike DiGregorio was also big for Blackwater, firing 20 points of his own.
Prior to his game-winner, it was also Maliksi who gave the Elite a previous lead with an earlier jumper, making it 90-89 in his team’s favor with 33.6 seconds remaining.
Durham gave Meralco its last taste of the lead, 91-90, with his putback with 15.8 seconds left.
Chris Newsome led Meralco with 19 points.
The scores:
BLACKWATER 92—Walker 30, Digregorio 20, Maliksi 15, Sumang 9, Erram 7, Sena 4, Marcelo 4, Canaleta 3, Belo 0, Pinto 0, Cruz 0.
MERALCO 91—Newsome 19, Durham 18, Hodge 18, Dillinger 12, Tolomia 11, Amer 8, Hugnatan 5, Lanete 0, Caram 0, De Ocampo 0.
Quarters: 24-17, 42-40, 63-62, 92-91.