GEORGE King proved to be a gem of an import sub for Blackwater.
A replacement to Ricky Ledo, King sizzled with 33 points and 19 rebounds in his PBA debut and carried the Bossing into the win-column with a 95-88 triumph over the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the PBA Governors' Cup Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The former Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavs forward showed good touch from afar, going 2-of-6 from the four-point area and 3-of-4 from the three-point zone to highlight his superb double-double outing that got Blackwater on track after a 0-3 season start.
Taking the cue from their new import, Sedrick Barefield (13 points), Christian David (11) and Troy Rosario (10) also got going, helping Blackwater past the Ginebra team that went down to 1-2 in Group B paced by Rain or Shine at 4-0, followed by San Miguel Beer and NLEX both at 2-1.
As coach Jeff Cariaso and his Blackwater crew ended their unbeaten run, left without a win in the cellar in the group are the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters at 0-3.
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With tremendous lift from King, the Bossing held their own against the Gin Kings and went on to beat coach Tim Cone and his chargers for the first time in 10 head-on matches.
They overcame Justin Brownlee' 37-point production and Japeth Aguilar 17-11 double-double as they snapped their long skid versus the Gin Kings dating back to 2019.
Blackwater enjoyed a slim 46-44 lead at the half before unleashing a crucial tear in the third and building the momentum to post a gap as wide as 14 at 80-66.
In the windup, the Kings threatened to within three at 88-91 but then Barefield drilled in a dagger four to all but wrap up the game at 95-88 with 31 seconds left to play.
The Bossing chalked up their first win after successive losses to the Rain or Shine Elsa to Painters, the NLEX Road Warriors and the San Miguel Beermen.
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For the Kings, it's their second loss after a losing season debut against the Elasto Painters. (SB)
The Scores:
BLACKWATER 95 - King 33, Barefield 13, David 11, Rosario 10, Guinto 9, Kwekuteye 8, Ilagan 5, Chua 4, Escoto 2, Casio 0, Mitchell 0, Ponferrada 0.
GINEBRA 88 - Brownlee 37, Aguilar 17, Abarrientos 10, Ahanmisi 9, Holt 5, Thompson 4, Go 4, Adamos 2, Cu 0, Garcia 0.
QUARTERS: , 20-21, 46-44, 77-64, 95-88
