At the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, Blackwater defeated Converge 90-78 to establish a preliminary lead in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup.

The Bossing broke away late in the first quarter in what was perhaps their most dominant performance of the season-ending conference so far. They would barely see the opposition en route to recording their third win in as many games.

With 16 points, youngster Christian David led the way among the four players who scored in double figures in the victory. He scored half of his total in the first quarter, which gave them a commanding 30-to-14 lead to start the rampage.

With 14 points, Rey Suerte scored. RK Ilagan contributed 12, all of which came in the second quarter when Blackwater seized complete control of the game and led by a decisive 58-29 margin at the half.

League statistics Chief Fidel Mangonon III claims that the 29 points scored by the FiberXers in the first half are the second-lowest in the team’s history for a half.

The Bossing led by as much as 35 points, 70-35, in the third quarter, thanks to 10 points and 8 rebounds by Troy Rosario.

Blackwater will attempt to extend its winning run to four games when it plays NLEX on Wednesday, March 13, at 4:30 p.m. remaining in the Big Dome.

Alec Stockton, however, led Converge, who dropped to 0-3 in the team standings, with a game-high 24 points and eight rebounds.

Deschon Winston led the struggling FiberXers with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Justin Arana chipped in with eighteen. The team has not triumphed in a game since defeating Terrafirma 103-94 in the Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup on December 3.

Converge’s next assignment is against the Road Warriors, which takes place on Saturday, March 9, at 6:15 p.m. in Araneta as well.

The Scores

Blackwater 90 – David 16, Suerte 14, Ilagan 12, Escoto 12, Rosario 10, Nambatac 7, Yap 5, Sena 3, DiGregorio 3, Tungcab 2, Guinto 2, Kwekuteye 2, Hill 2, Jopia 0.

Converge 78 – Stockton 24, Winston 22, Arana 18, Fleming 6, Fornilos 3, Balanza 2, Maagdenberg 1, Santos 0, Caralipio 0, Melecio 0, Nieto 0, Ambohot 0, Zaldivar 0.

Quarter scores: 30-14; 58-29, 76-50, 90-78