BLACKWATER Elite survived a big scare to subdue NorthPort, 96-89, in a tight and exciting battle on the second day of competitions in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup at the coronavirus-free Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena and Cultural Center in Angeles City.
Roi Sumang, Don Trollano, Mac Belo and Ed Daquioag combined for 63 points for the Elite, who nearly squandered a commanding 17-point lead and escaped the Batang Pier’s fiery comeback.
Sumang and Trollano finished with q7 points apuece, Belo added 16 and Daquioag contributed 13 for Blackwater, which joibsSan Miguel Beer, Talk N Text, Barangay Ginebra and Phoenix Super LPG in the winner’s column of the tournament being held in an NBA-inspired bubble in Pampanga.
Christian Standhardinger and Sean Anthony both had a near triple-double for NorthPort Standhardinger finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in 40 minutes.while Anthony had 22 points, 13 rebounds and six assists.in 32 minutes.
But Garvo Lanete was the only other NorthPort player in double figures with 14 points. But he had only four points the last three quarters.
Blackwater appeared in full control with a huge 84-67 lead.
But the Pido Jarencio-mentored NorthPort came charging back behind a 22-9 run to threaten at 89-93 with still 1:01 left. They even had a chance to move closer when Frank Golla missed from the left corner.
But Kevin Ferrer lost the ball under pressure from Sumang, with the ball scooped up by Daquioag for a fastbreak layup that all but sealed the win.
NorthPort dictated the tempo of the game in the opening half, leading 25-21 and 47-38.
But a 41-point third-quarter explosion by Blackwater turned the game around for coach Nash Racela’s team.
Actually, both teams struggled from the floor in their first game since the lockdown in March.
Blackwater went 37-of-97 for 38 percent against Northport’s 25-of-72 for 34 percent.
The Elite also had more rebounds, 60-53, more steals, 8-4, and more blocks, 4-2.
The Batang Pier struggled with more turnovers, 22-13.
The scores:
Blackwater (96) — Sumang 17, Trollano 17, Belo 16, Daquioag 13, Tolomia 8, Magat 8, Desiderio 4, Canaleta 3, Salem 3, Dennison 3, Shaw 2, Golla 2, Gabriel 0, Dario 0. NorthPort (89) — Standhardinger 23, Anthony 22, Lanete 14, Nabong 7, Elorde 7, Taha 5, Manganti 3, Subido 3, Ferrer 3, Cruz 2, Revilla 0. Quarterscores: 21-25, 38-47, 79-65, 96-89.
Games Wednesday:
(Angeles University Sports Arena)
4 p.m. — Meralco vs Alaska
6:45 p.m. — Magnolia vs. NLEX
