By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Blackwater Bossing wasted their early double-digit lead before escaping with a 108-105 triumph over Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in the 2022-2023 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City yesterday.
After seeing their lead turn to a 97-98 deficit with over a minute left, the Bossing got back-to-back baskets from Shawn Glover and Jvee Casio and a split free throw by Casio for a 102-98 lead.
The Fuel Masters made its last push at 101-102 after a three-pointer from Tyler Tio, but free throws by Rashawn McCarthy and Baser Amer gave the Bossing a 108-105 edge before Tio missed a potential game-tying triple.
Glover top-scored with 31 points, including four triples, to go with 13 rebounds, while Amer chipped in 17 markers as the Bossing recovered from their first defeat to improve to 1-1.
Rookie Renato Ular tallied double-double 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Yousef Taha also had double-double 10 points and 13 boards for the Bossing.
Du’vaughn Maxwell finished with 37 points to go with 17 rebounds and six blocks, Tio chipped in 15 markers, while Jason Perkins and Rodolfo Alejandro, Jr. had 13 and 10 points, respectively, as the Fuel Masters dropped to 0-2.
Meanwhile, Meralco Bolts and Converge FiberXers occupied first place in the standings with a 2-0 record following separate wins at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday night, January 26.
The Bolts survived a tough stand by the NorthPort Batang Pier (0-2) before pulling off a 107-102 victory, while the FiberXers walloped the debuting Terrafirma Dyip (0-1), 130-115.
BLACKWATER 108 — Glover 31, Amer 17, Ular 14, Taha 10, McCarthy 9, Hill 6, Banal 6, Ayonayon 5, Casio 5, Ilagan 3, DiGregorio 2, Torralba 0, Escoto 0, Suerte 0.
PHOENIX 105 — Maxwell 37, Tio 15, Perkins 13, Alejandro 10, Serrano 9, Soyud 5, Manganti 5, Garcia 5, Jazul 2, Muyang 2, Camacho 2, Go 0.
Quarterscores: 25-18, 54-45, 79-69, 108-105./ASC, WDJ