BLACKWATER KNOCKS OUT PACQUIAO, KIA IN SEASON OPENING PREVIEW
BlackWater started its PBA journey with a dominant 88-77 victory over KIA Saturday in the 2014 PBA Holcim Liga ng Bayan Preseason Games at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
Alex Nuyles came alive in the second half, scoring 11 of his 18 points, along with three rebounds to lead the Elite in the victory.
Sunday Salvacion stroke hot from rainbow country, finishing with 15 markers, all from threes, while JR Cawaling added 12 points.
“Ok naman yung performance namin considering officially this is our second tuneup,” said Blackwater head coach Leo Isaac.
Despite the victory, there are still lots of concerns going on in Isaac’s mind, especially with the 31 fouls they committed in the game.
“We still need to improve on a lot of departments. Hopefully by October 19, ready na kami,” he said.
The Elite turned a close 42-40 halftime lead to a blowout after unfurling a 10-1 blast to open the second half, capitalizing on the presence of the undersized Pacquiao to start the period, and scoring 30 points in the third quarter alone for a 14-point cushion entering the payoff quarter.
But KIA still made an inspired run in the end, slicing the lead to as low as eight with less than five minutes to play, before Salvacion and Nuyles drilled back-to-back threes that doused cold water on the Sorentos’ rally and once again pushed BlackWater’s lead back to double digits.
Not helping KIA’s cause were crucial missed freebies which would have helped its comeback.
Reil Cervantes showed the way for KIA with his 23 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two blocks, while Chad Alonzo helped him with his 10.
Playing coach Manny Pacquiao registered one point, one rebound, and two turnovers in his first game for the Sorentos.
The scores:
BLACKWATER 88 – Nuyles 18, Salvacion 15, Cawaling 12, Menor 7, Laure 6, Faundo 4, Erram 4, Gamalinda 4, Heruela 4, Austria 4, Timberlake 2, Celiz 2, Llagas 2, Artadi 2, Ballesteros 2.
KIA 77 – Cervantes 23, Alonzo 10, Thiele 9, Lingganay 8, Raymundo 6, Alvarez 5, Revilla 4, Bagatsing 3, Ighalo 2, Sanga 2, Padilla 2, Burtscher 2, Pacquiao 1, Saldua 0.
Quarters: 22-20, 42-40, 72-58, 88-77.
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