BLACKWATER RECORDS FIRST-EVER PBA WIN
Finally, a win.
Blackwater ended their woeful 14-game losing streak and notched the monumental breakthrough PBA victory against the recently crowned Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer, coming away with an 80-77 victory in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
“Of course, it was a moment that you could really cherish especially for the Blackwater franchise,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac. “After 14 games going back to the first conference to finally taste a victory here, I just want to thank the good Lord for allowing us to taste this.”
Still looking like they’re still in a championship hangover, the Beermen dropped to the cellar with their 0-3 slate, which is also the worst start in a conference by a newly-crowned all-Filipino champion team in 21 years.
With Blackwater leading 78-77 under 30 seconds remaining, Robby Celiz was forced to throw a desperation jumper, but fortunately for them, Gilbert Bulawan was there to recover the ball and score on a putback to put the Elite up, 80-77 with 10.7 ticks left to play. The Beermen had three chances from Alex Cabagnot and Marcio Lassiter to knot the score, but their three-point heaves failed to hit the bottom of the net.
Marcus Douthit made sure that his stint with the Elite would be a memorable one, scoring 20 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks to tow Blackwater to the historic win.
Brian Heruela also got 11 markers, nine boards, and five assists even as Bryan Faundo got a double-double of 10 points and 10 markers before fouling out.
“It came a bit late. We really wanted to experience this a lot earlier, but we’re still very thankful. Hopefully, this win could turn things on the brighter side for Blackwater,” Isaac said.
The Elite coach also admitted that the great showing Douthit has had in the three games for them has allowed the management to reconsider its stand on whether to still field in the injured Chris Charles for the conference when he has fully recovered from a hamstring injury.
“With the way Douthit is playing now, I think it’s a very difficult decision for the management. Maybe next week available na yan si Charles. He’s on his way back to being ready for competitive ball. Hopefully, we will be making the best decision as to who were going to tap as our import here in the second conference,” explained Isaac, himself ending a 16-game losing streak as PBA head coach dating back to his Barako Bull days.
The Beermen, who also started the 1994 Commissioner’s Cup at 0-3 right after winning the all-Filipino title, thus grabbed the distinction of being the only team to lose against the two expansion squads so far this season.
San Miguel Beer also equals San Mig Coffee/ Purefoods’ fate for having the worst start for any team coming off of a championship, as the Hotshots, coming off a Grand Slam last season, started the 2015 Philippine Cup on a 0-3 slate.
Ronald Roberts led San Miguel with 18 points and 17 rebounds, while Chris Lutz got 16 markers. Arwind Santos also had a near double-double with his 11 points and nine rebounds.
June Mar Fajardo was limited to just five markers and nine boards in just 18 minutes of play. (RL)
The scores:
BLACKWATER 80 – Douthit 20, Heruela 11, Faundo 10, Nuyles 8, Gamalinda 7, Bulawan 6, Salvacion 6, Canada 3, Celiz 3, Ballesteros 2, Laure 2, Acuna 2.
SAN MIGUEL BEER 77 – Roberts 18, Lutz 16, Santos 11, Tubid 9, Cabagnot 5, Lassiter 5, Fajardo 5, Ross 4, Omolon 2, Fortuna 2, Kramer 0.
Quarterscores: 11-21, 38-44, 60-52, 80-77.
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
