by Jonas Terrado
Games Wednesday (Cuneta Astrodome)
4:30 p.m. – NLEX vs Phoenix
7 p.m. – Blackwater vs Magnolia
STA. ROSA, Laguna – Blackwater survived multiple comeback tries by Rain or Shine late in the fourth quarter to hack out a 99-93 win last night and gain its sixth win in seven games in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the City of Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex here.
John Pinto’s corner three off Allein Maliksi’s kickout pass gave the Elite a 97-92 lead with 15.4 seconds remaining that finally ended the Elasto Painters’ hopes of completing a rally from 16 points down in the third.
Blackwater gained a momentary share of the lead with defending champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, which at presstime was playing slumping Meralco in the rematch of the last two finals of the season-ending conference.
Mike DiGregorio hit 12 of his team-high 17 points, Pinto had 16, import Henry Walker bucked frustration over officiating all evening for 14 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists and Maliksi produced 13 points.
Rain or Shine remained winless after four games, its worst start in recent memory.
Coach Bong Ramos heaved a sigh of relief after Blackwater saw its 68-52 lead in the third reduced to four on a Norbert Torres basket with 9:05 to go in the fourth.
The Elasto Painters almost got within two but a turnover led to a Paul Zamar three-point play off a Flagrant Foul 1 by Maverick Ahanmisi. Zamar missed the bonus free throw but Mac Belo drained a corner triple and Walker score for 84-73, 7:23 remaining.
RoS threatened anew with 2:36 to go when Ahanmisi’s corner triple cut Blackwater’s advantage to 90-87, though Pinto made a quick response by knocking down a three from the left elbow, 93-87.
A layup by Ahanmisi after Walker’s pass was intercepted trimmed Blackwater’s lead to 94-92 with 45.3 seconds left. Maliksi went for an isolation play before finding Pinto at the corner for the dagger shot.
Ahanmisi led all scorers with 25 points and import Terrence Watson posted 17 points and 14 rebounds but it was not enough to prevent Rain or Shine from extending its woes in the tourney.
Meanwhile, Blackwater fielded Poy Erram after missing the last two games due to a viral infection. The budding star had two points and eight rebounds in almost 21 minutes.
The scores:
Blackwater 99 – Digregorio 17, Pinto 16, Walker 14, Maliksi 13, Zamar 11, Jose 8, Belo 6, Sena 5, Javier 4, Sumang 3, Erram 2, Cortez 0.
Rain or Shine 93 – Ahanmisi 25, Watson 17, Daquioag 15, Ponferada 9, Torres 8, Belga 7, Borboran 5, Nambatac 4, Norwood 3, Washington 0, Tiu 0, Casino 0, Onwubere 0.
Quarters: 27-30, 47-39, 73-64, 99-93.
