BLACKWATER hopes to pick up the pieces before returning to action later this week after wasting a golden chance at proving its worth as a team on the rise with back-to-back defeats in the PBA Philippine Cup.
The Elite failed to produce a fitting a follow-up to their stunning win over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel when they blew a 10-point lead in a 92-83 defeat to TNT KaTropa last Jan. 17 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Two days later, Blackwater never recovered from a flat start and absorbed a 101-76 setback to GlobalPort at the Cuneta Astrodome and fall in a four-way share of seventh to tenth places at 2-3.
"Sabi ni (Blackwater) coach (Leo Isaac), sayang," said Elite center Poy Erram. "May chance na kami e, pinakawalan pa namin. Sobrang sayang. Yung mga players sobrang down kasi inexpect namin lalaban kami, tapos tinambakan kami ng sobra."
Things were looking bright for Blackwater at the start of the conference, bouncing back from losing to Meralco in its opening assignment to beat Rain or Shine, 92-87, behind Mac Belo's 25 points last Dec. 19 before its 94-77 defeat of Ginebra when Erram posted 22 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.
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But the resolve seen in both victories and in the early part of the match with TNT disappeared against GlobalPort, leaving Blackwater to ponder on things needed to improve.
"Pagpunta naman namin sa game (against GlobalPort), ready naman kaming lahat eh. Nung naunahan kami ng GlobalPort sa first quarter, nahirapan lang kaming bumalik. Tapos lumobo na 'yung lamang," said Belo.
Erram, Belo and the rest of the Elite return to action Saturday against the Alaska Aces as they hope to break out of the slump and regain their bearings halfway into the conference. (JT)
