FACING a must-win situation, Blackwater showed up ready to fight, scoring a huge 115-103 triumph over a fading GlobalPort to improve its stand in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
MJ Rhett continued his improvement, scoring a game-high 30 points to go with 13 rebounds, while Mike Cortez also had an impressive game, hitting 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting, while grabbing four rebounds and dishing out seven assists as the duo led Blackwater to victory.
In a battle of skidding teams, it was the Elite, who came out with a purpose of ending their drought.
The Elite snapped their two-game slide and improved to an even 3-3 slate to move to the upper half of the standings, while the ailing Batang Pier slipped further down to 2-4 with a third loss in a row.
“We were able to get good performances from the guys. Everyone stepped up and this is a needed win for us. We’re in a better position with this win after our last two defeats,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac.
Blackwater started gaining ground late in the first half after it suddenly unleashed a swift 16-2 blast to break a 46-all deadlock and suddenly find itself ahead by 14 points, 62-48, in the closing seconds of the second frame.
The Elite carried a 62-51 leverage at the half.
The third quarter was a continuation of what Blackwater did late in the opening half. The Elite picked it up in the second half and resumed the pounding, raising their lead even higher to 20 points, 78-58, with under seven minutes left in the third following two free throws from Art Dela Cruz.
Not the one to just surrender, GlobalPort fought back briefly, ending the third with a 21-9 run to trim the gap to just eight points, 87-79, entering the fourth and give itself a fighting chance in the last 12 minutes of action.
Games Wednesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum):
4:15 p.m. – Phoenix vs. Mahindra
7 p.m. – Barangay Ginebra vs. Alaska