The hot start continued for Blackwater.
The Elite powered their way in the clutch to get past NorthPort, 113-111, and earn a share of the lead in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
Henry Walker, Mike DiGregorio and seldom-used Chris Javier joined hands in crunch time to show the way for the still unbeaten Blackwater.
The trio led the way for the Elite in its game-turning 11-2 run down the stretch that gave the team a key 108-101 lead with 1:49 remaining after back-to-back baskets from Javier.
Prior to that, DiGregorio and Walker combined for seven straight points to push Blackwater in the driver’s seat.
While NorthPort continued to fight until the last second, the damage was already done as the Elite held on.
As a result, Blackwater tied Barangay Ginebra at the top with their identical 3-0 cards.
On the other hand, the Batang Pier stayed without a win, dropping to 0-5 at the bottom.
Walker led Blackwater with 24 points, while getting help from DiGregorio and Poy Erram, who each finished with 19 markers.
With Rashad Woods and Stanley Pringle off to a good start, the Batang Pier seized control, opening up a sizeable 24-11 spread right away after the first six minutes of the game.
Northport grew its lead to 39-23 at the end of one.
However, the stubborn Elite fought back brilliantly in the second canto, returning the favor by outscoring the Batang Pier, 33-20, to get itself back in the game, trailing by only three, 56-59, at the half.
From there, the Elite kept in-step with the Batang Pier before finally getting over the hump when it mattered in the closing minutes.
Woods led all scorers with a game-high 31 points.