By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Blackwater Bossing registered their second victory in as many games in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup as they pulled off an 87-76 stunner against the TNT Tropang Giga at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday night, March 2.
Jeth Troy Rosario was a thorn in the side of his former team, finishing with 20 points, including two three-point conversions, to go with six rebounds, one assist and a steal as the Bossing took solo first place in the standings.
Regile Kent Ilagan chipped in 15 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, while rookie center Christian David contributed 13 points, two rebounds and two assists for the Bossing.
From a close first quarter, the Bossing went on a run in the second frame for a slim 39-35 halftime lead before pulling away for good in the second half as the lead reached as high as 20 points.
“It is really a team effort,” Bossing head coach Jeff Cariaso said.
“It really is a necessity and a need, especially when we play against a big team like Talk ‘N Text or San Miguel [Beermen],” he added.
Calvin Oftana top-scored for the Tropang Giga with 21 points, including two three-point conversions, while Jayson Castro contributed 12 markers as they dropped to a 1-1 win-loss slate.
Meanwhile, Kier John Quinto made significant contributions in overtime as the Meralco Bolts scored a tight 121-117 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to move up to 1-1.
The Painters dropped to 0-2.
After draining a free throw that tied the score at 102-all at the end of the regulation, Quinto anchored the Bolts’ 10-2 scoring blast in the overtime period to create a separation from the Painters.
Quinto finished the match with 16 points, including seven in the overtime period, while Allein Maliksi led the Bolts with 26 points, while Chris Newsome, Cliff Hodge and Norbert Torres each contributed 16 points.
“Rain or Shine doesn’t have any quits. Lamang na kami. They kept on battling. In fact, they got the lead,” Meralco coach Luigi Trillo said.
“We were in a dogfight. We knew that coach [Yeng Guiao’s teams didn’t] know how to quit, and no lead is safe,” he added./ASC, WDJ
BLACKWATER 87 — Rosario 20, Ilagan 15, David 13, Kwekuteye 9, Guinto 9, Yap 6, Escoto 5, Sena 4, Suerte 3, Hill 2, Tungcab 1, Nambatac 0, Jopia 0.
TNT 76 — Oftana 21, Castro 12, Khobuntin 8, Galinato 8, Ganuelas-Rosser B. 8, Williams 3, Ebona 2, Montalbo 2, Ganuelas-Rosser M. 2, Aurin 2, Reyes 0, Ponferrada 0.
Quarterscores: 16-17, 39-35, 69-59, 87-76.