By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negrenses Miggy Corteza and Justin Chua were among those who made their stride in the Blackwater Bossing’s 139-118 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 139-118, in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila on Monday, September 23.
The Negros Occidental’s Silay City native Corteza finished with five points and three rebounds, while Bacolodnon Chua contributed four markers and five boards as the Bossing wrapped up their conference with a 5-5 win-loss slate.
With them already out of quarterfinals contention prior to the game, Bossing head coach Jeffrey Cariaso stated that he challenged his players to show the team’s true character in the non-bearing matchup against the Painters.
“Of course, we are disappointed of not having a chance at least to make the playoffs. But the lesson here is you cannot rely on other [teams] to move forward [in the playoffs],” Cariaso said.
“The challenge for my players in this game was to come out and play their game and respect the game and show the character that we have, and I can’t say enough of how they play,” he added.
“We are a team in transition, we are a team that [is] still learning [from] each other in this league and learning how to play in the PBA and, at the same time, learning how to win,” the Bossing coach further said.
Reinforcement George King, Jr. spearheaded the attack for the Bossing with 64 points, including three four-point conversions and 20-of-20 free throw shooting, to go with 13 rebounds.
“In a game like this, I have to find motivation, and that’s what the best players do. I just told myself it was a great night to play basketball. There was no pressure,” the former Dallas Mavericks forward said.
Sedrick Barefield added 21 markers, four assists, two rebounds, and two steals, while Richard Escoto, Jeth Troy Rosario and Derohn Mitchell contributed 13, 12 and 11, respectively, for the Bossing.
Jhonard Clarito led the way for the Painters with 18 points, Anton Asistio and Aaron Fuller added 14 markers apiece, while Caelan Tiongson contributed 11 markers as they wrapped up the eliminations with a 7-3 win-loss slate./ASC, WDJ
BLACKWATER 139 — King 64, Barefield 21, Escoto 13, Rosario 12, Mitchell 11, Corteza 5, Chua 4, Casio 3, Ilagan 3, Montalbo 2, Jopia 1, Ponferrada 0, Kwekuteye 0, Suerte 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 118 — Clarito 18, Asistio 14, Fuller 14, Tiongson 11, Lemetti 9, Nocum 9, Ildefonso 8, Caracut 7, Mamuyac 6, Belga 6, Datu 3, Villegas 3, Escandor 2, Norwood 0, Borboran 0.
Quarterscores: 41-37, 70-54, 106-91, 139-118.