By REYNALD MAGALLON
Blackwater rode on a blistering second half rally and turned back the also-ran Terrafirma, 96-86, to not only snap a four game slide but also inject life to its playoff hopes in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, Jan. 15.
The Bossing shrugged off the initial resistance from the Dyip and unloaded a fiery 21-4 run bridging the third and fourth quarters to pull away for good and emerge triumphant in the battle of the two cellar-dwelling teams.
George King remained the focal point of the offense for Blackwater but the difference this time was he got solid contributions from the rest of the crew led by Justin Chua and Mike Ayonayon.
King finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds while Chua provided support with 17 points and 12 rebounds and Ayonayon with 15 points and three steals for the Bossing who kept themselves in contention for a spot in the next round after improving to a 2-7 record.
Jaydee Tungcab also added 11 points, five rebounds and five assists, stepping up in place of their injured guards RK Ilagan, Sedrick Barefield and James Kwekuteye.
Blackwater was still behind 63-67 before it scored eight unanswered points to trigger the deciding run and take a commanding 84-71 advantage midway through the final frame.
Meanwhile, TNT shrugged off a tough stand from NLEX and grinded out a 94-87 victory to keep its hot streak alive.
The Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had a hard time shooting the ball but did just enough to keep his team afloat against the gritty Road Warriors and extend the team’s winning run to five.
The last conference’s Best Import winner finished with 23 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks but shot a poor 7-of-25 clip from the field and a 6-of-12 from the charity stripe.
RR Pogoy added 18 points while Calvin Oftana chipped in 14 points and eight rebounds to help TNT improve to a 5-2 record at the solo third spot in the standings.
Although not the best shooting night, not just for Hollis-Jefferson but for the entire TNT squad, the Tropang Giga managed to pull away in the final frame when it opened the quarter on a 15-5 run.
When the dust settled, TNT, which was trailing, 65-67, heading into the payoff period, suddenly erected a 80-72 advantage – a lead that they managed to protect until the final horn.
