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PBA: It’s Blackwater

Ed Daquioag
Ed Daquioag of Blackwater drives to the basket against three NLEX defenders in their PBA game at the AUF Sports Arena. PBA photo

BLACKWATER Elite rode on another blistering third quarter to overwhelm NLEX, 98-88, and clinch its second win in three matches in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena and Cultural Center.

Don Trollano and KG Canaleta scored 18 points apiece for Blackwater, which outscored NLEX, 35-16, in the third period to turn a close contest into a rout.

Roi Sumang added 13 points, while Ed Daquioag contributed 10 points, eight assists and six rebounds for the Elite, who bounced back from a 99-103 setback to Barangay Ginwbra last Thursday.

Mike Ayonayon carried the fgith for NLEX with 20 point,while Kiefer Ravena added 17 points, eight reboubd and seven assists.

It’s a combination of us playing well offensively as a team and sharing the ball and maybe the other team committing a breakdown defensively. But it’s nice in a way we’re able to score at will in the third quarter,” said Blackwater coach Nash Racela.

The score was tied at 46-all at halftime, but Blackwater scored nine straight points, seven by Daquioag, to break the game wide open.

Daquioag’s heroics included a three-point play to give the Elite a 49-46 lead.

And after Marion Magat made it 51-46 with a short jumper, Daquioag added four more points to push the lead to 55-46.

The Road Warriors never recovered from there.

With Blackwater getting 64 points from the bench against only 29 by NLEX, the Elite opened up as many as 24-point lead before relaxing in the closing minutes.

Also helping Blackwater a lot was its 64-48 advantage in total rebounds, including offensive.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine guns for a share of the lead when it squares off with NorthPort at 4 p.m. today.

Buoyed by back-to-back victories over over San Miguel Beer and TerraFirma, the E-Painters are favored to beat the Batang Pier in the opener of Week 2 of competitions in the PBA bubble.

Javee Mocon, Beau Belga, Gabe Norwood and Rey Nambatac are again expected to lead Rain or Shine, which is hoping to join Talk N Text Tropang Giga in the lead at 3-0.

But Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia feels the E-Painters have not played to their full potential yet despite their 87-83 upset win over the Beermen and a near wire-to-wire 91-82 victory over the Dyip.

Garcia expects his team to be more competitive once everyone gets back into playing condition.

Garcia mentioned two-time MVP winner James Yap, who is still trying to regain his bearing ater returning from Italy

“Hopefully, yung kumpiyansa madala pa namin sa mga susunod na laro,” said Nambatac.

Ginebra and Meralco renew their rivalry when they clash in the featured match at 6:45 p.m.

The game will serve as a rematch of their 2019 PBA Governor’s Cup title showdown.

It’s gonna be a tough one against Meralco. We know they’re gonna be ready. They’re gonna be ready for us and we know it. We’re gonna have to find a way to meet their intensity,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.

“They’re also coming off a big, huge win after having a tough first game. That’s gonna lift them up and motivate them. It’s gonna be our biggest challenge so far, I think,” added Cone.

The Gin Kings hurdled their first two games, but Cone claimed the team is still not yet at full peak.

The scores:

Blackwater (98) — Canaleta 18, Trollano 18, Sumang 13, Daquioag 10, Golla 8, Desiderio 7, Belo 7, Tolomia 6, Salem 5, Magat 3, Gabriel 2, Escoto 1, Dennison 0, Dario 0. NLEX (88) — Ayonayon 20, Ravena 17, Soyud 13, Alas 13, Porter 9, McAloney 6, Quiñahan 5, Galanza 5, Ighalo 0, Miranda 0, Paniamogan 0, Semerad 0. Quarterscores: 17-15, 46-46, 81-62, 98-88.

Games today:

(AUF Sports Arena and Cultural Center)
4 p.m. — Rain or Shine vs. NorthPort
6:45 p.m. — Ginebra vs. Meralco