MANILA, Philippines – At the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Blackwater Bossing decisively defeated NorthPort Batang Pier 120-98 on Friday night to end a two-game losing run in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup. The victory, which was Blackwater’s first of the conference, was a show-stopper that demonstrated the team’s ability to play both sides of the floor.

The Bossing outscored the Batang Pier 40-27 in the third quarter, which was a major factor in the game’s historic victory. The tide was totally turned by that critical stretch, which gave Blackwater a commanding 88-74 lead going into the fourth quarter, a lead they would maintain until the final buzzer. On three separate occasions, their advantage increased to as much as 27 points, and their bench was instrumental in maintaining the offensive assault.

Despite going scoreless in the first quarter, Sedrick Barefield finished as Blackwater’s leading scorer with 20 points. His tenacity fueled an attacking scheme that was dynamic and well-balanced, with notable contributions from all players. Christian David, who had been having trouble early in the conference, showed increased efficiency and confidence as he scored 19 points.

The outstanding play of Blackwater’s bench, which scored an amazing 60 points, was another noteworthy plot point in the team’s victory. The team’s increased depth and consistent energy throughout the game were emphasized by the dependable contributions of RK Ilagan, Richard Escoto, BJ Andrade, and Troy Mallilin, all of whom scored ten points. In addition to relieving the starters’ workload, this level of performance from the reserves guaranteed steady production throughout the quarter. In order to sustain the momentum created during Blackwater’s dramatic third-quarter charge, the bench’s vigor and effectiveness were essential.

The team’s efforts during a lengthy 12-day gap between games were credited by head coach Jeffrey Cariaso with the historic victory. Following a disappointing 80-111 defeat to Converge on April 13 and a difficult conference opening, Cariaso and his team concentrated on recalibrating their system during the downtime. Their goals were very clear: to strengthen team dynamics, enhance execution, and promote a disciplined and cohesive style of play.

Against NorthPort, such dedication paid off as Blackwater played basketball in a much more fluid and structured manner. Their 24 assists demonstrated a club that valued selfless play and efficient ball movement. Instead of depending on individual feats or solo plays, the Bossing had a common offensive concept that involved finding open looks and moving the ball quickly. This, in Cariaso’s opinion, was a clear sign that the group was starting to understand the need for trust and teamwork on and off the court.

On the other hand, after losing to Rain or Shine 96-113 just three days prior, NorthPort’s problems only got worse. The Batang Pier’s record dropped to 1-2 as a result of a string of costly mistakes and defensive breakdowns.

Blackwater will try to maintain its fresh momentum as both teams advance in the PBA Philippine Cup, while NorthPort will need to reconsider its strategy in an effort to reverse its early-season decline.

NorthPort had some positive aspects despite the defeat. William Navarro maintained his steady play with his third consecutive double-double, finishing with 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Joshua Munzon led all scorers with 27 points. But Arvin Tolentino’s comeback, who missed the last game because of a hip injury, didn’t live up to the hype. The previous Commissioner’s Cup Best Player struggled to get back into his typical rhythm, scoring only 15 points on 6-of-17 shooting and committing a game-high four turnovers.

With the victory, Blackwater hopes to gain ground and move up the rankings, supported by their strong rotation and revitalized unity. As the Philippine Cup competition heats up, NorthPort is left to reevaluate its tactics and address its persistent problems on both sides of the court.

Scores at the end of the match

BLACKWATER with 120 points for the win

Individual scores: Barefield 20, David 19, Ilagan 17, Escoto 15, Andrade 14, Mallilin 10, Ayonayon 9, Guinto 7, Tungcab 5, Chua 2, Tratter 2, Casio 0.

NORTHPORT with 98 points

Individual scores: Munzon 27, Navarro 24, Tolentino 15, Bulanadi 12, Jalalon 7, Onwubere 6, Cuntapay 3, Flores 3, Yu 1, Nelle 0, Kwekuteye 0, Taha 0.

Scores per quarter

20-22, 48-47, 88-74, 120-98