TROY Rosario finally saw action as a Blackwater player and helped the Bossing notch a first win in the PBA Commissioner's Cup with a 97-85 drubbing of the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters Saturday night at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
Rosario came through with a double-double outing with 15 points and 10 rebounds while fellow former TNT player Gab Banal had his own key contributions with 10 markers, five rebounds, five assists and four steals, with import Cameron Krutwig and Baser Amer doing their own tasks as the Bossing bounced back from their 46-point blowout loss to the Bay Area Dragons on opening day.
"We got embarrassed the last time, and I challenged the guys only us can redeem ourselves," said Blackwater coach Ariel Vanguardia.
The Bossing did score some amount of redemption, breaking into the win-column while dealing the injury-hit Fuel Masters a second loss in as many games.
"We got a bit lucky also as the other team played minus some of their best guys," said Vanguardia but nonetheless gave credit to his guys for their effort, making special mention of their two new recruits.
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"Gab (Banal) gave us a big lift defensively while also putting points on the board. And we know what Troy (Rosario) can give us," the Blackwater bench chieftain said.
Krutwig had another big all-around numbers with 17 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists while Amer got away with his biggest output in a Blackwater uniform with 24 markers as the Bossing beat a Phoenix side minus Sean Anthony, Sean Manganti and Jake Pascual.
Kaleb Wesson powered his way to 28 markers and 26 boards for the Fuel Masters who came out strong, enjoying early double-digit spreads but threw bricks in the second half.
After making eight three-pointers in the first half, the Fuel Masters added just one after the halftime break.
The Bossing, meanwhile, drew firepower from many sources, with Rashawn McCarthy (12 markers) and Rey Suerte (15) also finishing in double figures. (SB)
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The Scores:
Blackwater 97 - Amer 24, Krutwig 17, Suerte 15, Rosario 15, McCarthy 12, Banal 10, Ular 4, Jackson 0, Sena 0, Go 0.
Phoenix 85 - Wesson 28, Garcia 13, Mocon 11, Tio 9, Camacho 7, Jazul 5, Rios 3, Lojera 2, Adamos 2, Serrano 2, Lalata 2, Robles 1, Muyang 0.
Quarters: 23-24, 54-47, 72-69, 97-85
