BLACKWATER kept its slim hopes alive after out-dueling still winless NLEX, 104-98, for some positivity in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Greg Smith led the way for the Elite, scoring a game-high 24 points and hauling 18 rebounds, while Mike DiGregorio also had a nice output of 22 points.
This win improved Blackwater to 2-6 and kept its chances of making the top eight alive.
On the other hand, the defeat officially eliminated the hapless Road Warriors as they remained without a win at 0-8.
Blackwater cruised through the first three quarters, working its way to a commanding 86-68 spread heading the final period.
It seemed like the Elite had the game in the bag, but the Road Warriors made it a little interesting in the end, but still fell short.
NLEX came to within six points multiple times in the last five minutes, but Blackwater kept its cool and eventually held on.
Kevin Alas had 18 markers for the losing side.
Meanwhile, in a more important tiff, second-running Meralco (6-1) is currently shooting for its third straight win and a berth in the quarterfinals as it is playing Phoenix (3-4) as of this report.
A victory for the Bolts will make them the first ones through to the quarters.
On the other hand, the Fuel Masters are in dire need of a win to keep in-step with the teams in the middle and more importantly, boost their bid of making the top eight.
The scores:
BLACKWATER 104—Smith 24, Canaleta 24, Digregorio 22,Cruz 9, Pinto 7, Pascual 6, Cervantes 4, Aguilar 4, Sena 2, Gamalinda 2, Sumang 0, Buenafe 0.
NLEX 98—Alas 18, Al-Hussaini 17, Lastimosa 10, Taulava 10, Anthony 9, Chism 9, Khobuntin 8, Camson 5, Villanueva J. 4, Monfort 4, Soyud 3, Rios 1, Tiongson 0, Guinto 0, Baracael 0.
Quarterscores: 28-17, 49-42, 86-68, 104-98.