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Blackwater picked up its second win in a 97-90 win over NorthPort in the PBA Philippine Cup, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on Saturday.
Games like this are hard to come by for Blackwater Bossing.
As a team, the Bossing dished out a franchise-high 32 assists. As individuals, several players stood out and got their share of the spotlight. The Bossing collectively got the job done in hacking out a 97-90 victory over the Northport Batang Pier to notch their second win in the three games in the current PBA Philippine Cup Season 47.
JVee Casio teamed up with rookie Ato Ular to keep the Bossing afloat in the fourth quarter and outlast the Batang Pier.
Casio scored 22 points to go with his five assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
Ato Ular added 17 markers, 5 rebounds, and a block as Blackwater bounced back from their loss to Barangay Ginebra for a 2-1 record.
Robert Bolick led the Batang Pier with 21 points.
It was NorthPort’s second straight loss after starting its campaign with back-to-back wins.
The Bossing’s win was marred with a row between coach Ariel Vanguardia and NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio. Tempers then still flared after the buzzer as Northport head Coach Pido bumped Blackwater shot-caller, decision to call a timeout late in the game even as the result was already evident. On the sidelines Coach Jarencio, who was apparently peeved which caused both teams to separate the heated tacticians before the situation escalated further.
“I have high respect for coach Pido. Turo ng magulang ko is to be magnanimous in victory, a win is a win. Siguro sumama ang loob niya dahil sa timeout,” said Vanguardia.
“But you know I have to do what I have to do. Gusto kong umiskor noon pero walang opportunity so ‘di kami naka-score.”
In the other game, Talk ‘N Text frustrated Meralco, 78-71.
Roger Pogoy led the Texters’ stable scoring with 19 points, 7 of them coming in the payoff period.
Blackwater’s 32 assists was its all-time franchise high, eclipsing its previous high 31, which the team achieved in its 120-117 overtime loss to Phoenix in the 2019 Governors’ Cup.
“Wow, I haven’t coached a team that had 32 assists,” said Blackwater coach Ariel Vanguardia during the post-game interview. “Even in JRU, KL Dragons, Phoenix, I never coached a game where we had 32 assists because our teams play run and gun.”
Northport only got as near as seven, 90,-97, off the final 12-4 spurt before both teams went scoreless in the final 1:29 of regulation.
Nevertheless, Blackwater can keep its momentum going with a win against Terrafirma on Saturday, June 25, 5:15pm at the Ynares Center, Antipolo. Meanwhile, Northport shoots for a bounce-back against Meralco on Thursday June 23, also at 5:15 pm at the same venue.
The Scores:
• Blackwater 97 – Casio 22, Ular 17, Taha 10, Sena 10, McCarthy 9, Suerte 8, Amer 5, Ebona 4, Publico 4, Melton 3, Escoto 2, Dyke 0 • Northport 90 – Bolick 21, Sumang 16, Malonzo 14, Ferrer 9, Balanza 9, Santos 6, Dela Cruz 6, Ayaay 5, Calma 4, Apacible 0
QUARTERS: 28-24, 48-48, 74-69, 97-90
