Rhett drops triple-double to lead Blackwater in Alaska upset

After three games, MJ Rhett finally showed what he’s made of.

The 23-year-old stepped up big with a triple-double to carry Blackwater to a 107-101 upset over Alaska Friday in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Mall of Asia Arena.

Rhett registered 18 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Elite nailed back-to-back wins for the first time in franchise history and got its first triumph over Alaska.

Carlo Lastimosa also drained big shots in the fourth, pouring 10 of his game-high 24 markers in the frame, while Reil Cervantes got 21 points on a 3-of-5 shooting from three.

“Masarap yung pakiramdam. It feels good to achieve this first back-to-back wins for our franchise and I’m very sure that our team owner Dioceldo Sy is very happy about this win,” said coach Leo Isaac.

Bambam Gamalinda also had 12 points, while Mike Cortez and Raphy Reyea both had 10.

Blackwater erected a 16-point lead early in the fourth until Calvin Abueva and Vic Manuel spearheaded Alaska’s fightback late, trimming the lead to as low as four, 105-101, with 54.8 seconds left.

However, JVee Casio could not keep the pressure going, missing his triple in the final 10 seconds which paved the way for Lastimosa icing the game from the charity stripe.

“We just have to continue on. Teams will definitely be preparing for us after this win,” Isaac said. “We just have to rise up to the occasion.”

Manuel scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth in the failed Aces fightback, while Sonny Thoss had 18 markers and eight rebounds.

Robert Dozier sat the game for Alaska.

The Aces lost their fifth straight game dating back to its Philippine Cup Finals meltdown.

The Scores:

BLACKWATER 107 – Lastimosa 24, Cervantes 21, Rhett 18, Gamalinda 12, Cortez 10, Reyes 10, Dela Cruz 6, Canada 3, Erram 2, Tiongson 1, Golla 0.
ALASKA 101 – Manuel 20, Thoss 18, Baguio 16, Abueva 11, Casio 10, Banchero 9, Dela Cruz 4, Racal 4, Eman 3, Jazul 3, Exciminiano 2, Dela Rosa 1, Vanlandingham 0.

Quarters: 27-23, 51-50, 80-70, 107-101.

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