BLACKWATER survived a near-fatal meltdown in the last four minutes to escape past Phoenix, 92-90, and get back on track in the PBA on Tour Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
After roaring to a 92-81 cushion, the Bossing found themselves in an alarming dry spell but aided by endgame breaks, managed to pull through and bounce back from their 80-81 heartbreaker to Ginebra for 4-3 overall.
Their lead dangerously cut to two, the Bossing caught a break when Sean Manganti issued an errant alley-oop pass to Simon Camacho as the Fuel Masters were attempting the equalizer.
Rashawn McCarthy retrieved the ball and later plucked the offensive rebound off Ato Ular's missed dagger to seal the deal for a Blackwater side decimated by injuries to Tyrus Hill (finger), James Sena (back spasm) and Yousef Taha (arm).
Troy Rosario topscored with 24 points on an eye-popping 71.4 percent clip (10-of-14) to go with eight rebounds in leading Blackwater back to a winning status before coach Jeff Cariaso arrives from the US and rejoins the team this week.
Sponsored content: "We had to trust one another until the end. Last game hindi namin nakuha kaya talagang pinilit namin kunin ito para bago dumating si coach Jeff sa Wednesday, may sasalubong sa kanyang panalo," said Rosario.
McCarthy added 13, the same output produced by Mike Ayonayon and JVee Casio, whose three-point snipings to start the fourth allowed Blackwater to create separation, 87-75.
Manganti showed the way with 18 while Reden Celda and Tyler Tio shot 15 apiece for Phoenix, which failed to make it two straight and slipped to 3-4 in the preseason series presented by Arena Plus and sponsored by Bingo Plus.
Tension filled the game when Rosario pushed a rushing Manganti from behind while going after a looseball with 50 seconds left. Manganti got up and charged at Rosario. Cooler heads prevailed and the two shook hands.(OL)
The Scores:
Sponsored content: BLACKWATER 92 - Rosario 24, McCarthy 13, Ayonayon 13, Casio 13, Suerte 9, DiGregorio 7, Escoto 4, Ular 4, Banal 2, Amer 0, Ilagan 0, Publico 0.
PHOENIX 90 - Manganti 18, Celda 15, Tio 15, Lalata 14, Mocon 8, Fetalvero 7, Camacho 7, Rangel 2, Muyang 2, Atienza 0.
QUARTERS: 26-26, 46-43, 71-69, 92-90.
