By Adrian Stewart Co

Blackwater Elite nearly wasted a double-digit lead before escaping with a 118-110 victory over the Columbian Dyip last night in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Alex Stepheson led the win with 26 points, 21 rebounds, and seven blocks; Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. added 23 markers; while Allein Maliksi and Rey Mark Belo each scored 19.
It was back and forth early on until the Dyip surged to a 41-34 advantage. However, the Elite answered quickly to tie the score at 44-all before pulling ahead to a 57-54 lead at the half.
A strong start by the Dyip in the third period gave them a slim 70-69 lead but the Elite countered with its own rally behind Parks, Belo, and Shej Roi Sumang for its largest lead of 92-79.
The Dyip made its last push and came as close as 106-105 but back-to-back inside hits by Stepheson increased Elite’s lead back to 113-105 with over a minute left in the match./ASC, WDJ