Blackwater’s Sedrick Barefield. PBA Images
MANILA — Blackwater ended its three-game losing streak in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.
The Bossing leaned on a huge fourth quarter to run past Phoenix, 106-100, on a rainy Wednesday evening at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
“We contained them and we played good defense,” Blackwater head coach Pat Aquino said during the post-game press conference.
After Ricci Rivero gave Phoenix a slim 93-92 edge, a bail out triple from RK Ilagan gave Blackwater the lead once more, 95-93, with 3:26 left on the fourth quarter clock.
READ: PBA: Titan Ultra holds off Macau for 2nd win in Govs' Cup
A defensive stop on Rivero proved crucial, as Sedrick Barefield capitalized on it by sinking two freebies, and Ilagan found the steal from Tyler Tio for a breakaway layup, 99-93, 1:59 ticks remaining.
Troy Mallillin then contributed to the Blackwater scoring, nailing a baseline jumper off an offensive rebound, and completed a trip to the foul line, capping an 11-0 run that defined the rest of the match.
Before that, the Bossing had to tear down a nine-point Phoenix lead, 86-77, entering the last period.
READ: PBA: Player of the Week Nambatac shines for undermanned TNT
Sedrick Barefield led the locals with 26 points — including key baskets during their fourth quarter charge — to go with three rebounds.
Import Kentrell Barkley had a monster double-double of 34 points and 16 rebounds, while Ilagan made his presence felt, adding 15 points and six rebounds.
With the win, Blackwater improved to 3-3 and knocked Phoenix out of the solo lead in Group B, dropping the Fuel Masters into a tie with Rain or Shine at 4-2.
BJ Johnson exploded for a massive 45-point output, but was put to waste as the Fuel Masters were dealt a second loss.
The Scores:
BLACKWATER 106 – Barkley 34, Barefield 26, Ilagan 15, Una 8, Mallilin 8, Tratter 7, Austria 6, Demusis 2, Mendoza 0, Panopio 0, Dumont 0, Escoto 0
PHOENIX 100 – Johnson 45, Rivero 15, Ballungay 12, Tuffin 7, Perkins 5, Santos 5, Mamuyac 4, Tio 3, Chua 2, Delos Santos 0
QUARTERS: 30-32, 62-59, 77-86, 106-100