AT the expense of an all-Filipino Meralco side, Blackwater finally chalked up a first win in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium Thursday night.
Sedric Barefield topscored with 33 points while George King put in 32 points and 14 rebounds to power the Bossing past the Meralco squad sans an import and also without their injury-hit ace locals Allein Maliksi and Raymond Almazan.
Christian David contributed 17 markers while James Kwekuteye chipped in 10 as the Bossing finally got over the hump, snapping a three-game losing skein while dealing the Bolts a first loss in four starts.
With Meralco's defeat, the NorthPort Batang Pier (5-0) and the Barangay Ginebra Kings (1-0) were left as the two remaining unbeaten teams in the mid-season tourney.
Coach Jeff Cariaso steered his team to their first "W" after three straight losses to Magnolia, NLEX and Eastern.
Sponsored content: But though facing a Meralco team without an import, the Bossing took some time before getting a good run.
With clutch hits from Barefield, the Bossing came through with a decisive 16-3 salvo from 85-86 down, seizing the lead that they never relinquished to the finish.
Chris Newsome fired 22 points, with Bong Quinto adding 19 markers and Cliff Hodge 13 markers and 10 boards for the losing side.
Aaron Black, who's just back from an injury, collected eight points and seven rebounds.
Though badly crippled, the Bolts fought the Bossing tooth and nail through the first 40 minutes of the game, but ran out of power in the end.
Sponsored content: They went down to a first loss after stringing up victories over Phoenix Super LPG, Rain or Shine and Terrafirma. They were led to a 2-0 start by Akil Mitchell before riding high on the exploits of DJ Kennedy in a 96-91 win over the Dyip. (SB)
The scores:
Blackwater 114 - Barefield 33, King 32, David 17, Kwekuteye 10, Suerte 6, Ilagan 6, Chua 4, Casio 4, Montalbo 2, Hill 0, Guinto 0, Jopia 0, Escoto 0.
Meralco 98 - Newsome 22, Quinto 19, Hodge 13, Black 12, Jose 8, Rayson 7, Rios 5, Torres 5, Caram 4, Pasaol 3, Pascual 0.
Quarterscores: 28-21, 48-49, 83-79, 114-98
