Blackwater ushers in a new chapter in its franchise with a rare good start, fending off NLEX, 93-85, in the first PBA on Tour game at the Caloocan Sports Complex on Sunday, May 21.
Although it was a pre-season game, the win points towards a more optimistic future for the squad which has been saddled by misfortunes after making it to the playoffs for only once in the past seven conferences. Under the system of new head coach Jeffrey Carriaso, the Bossing showed better character and fluidity as seldom-used Mike Ayonayon and Rey Suerte took advantage of their minutes to lead Blackwater to the usually elusive win. Ayonayon finished with 16 points while Suerte added 14 as Blackwater built a lead that went to as high as 18 points before pulling off the big plays down the stretch to keep the Road Warriors at bay. It was Suerte who spearheaded a strong first half for the Bossing, dropping 10 of his total in the first two quarters where they built a 49-31 lead. The Road Warriors though refused to go down without a fight as Sean Anthony and Bong Galanza joined hands in a huge third quarter flurry to come within two, 71-69, late in the third frame. NLEX would keep itself within two halfway through the final quarter before Ayonayon scored a huge and-1 play and Ato Ular scored on a short stab to reestablish a seven-point cushion, 85-78. The Road Warriors, behind the efforts of Anthony and Don Trollano, still threatened in the final five minutes of the contest, only for their hopes of authoring a comeback getting dashed away by crucial baskets from RK Ilagan and Joshua Torralba. Anthony paced NLEX with 18 points and eight rebounds while Trollano posted a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds. The Road Warriors also got solid contributions from its 3x3 players in Galanza, Dominic Fajardo and Tzady Rangel who have been called up for the preseason games. Galanza finished with 13, Fajardo with 13 and Rangel with four.
*Rey Suerte flashes his scoring prowess against NLEX. (PBA Images)
*Although it was a pre-season game, the win points towards a more optimistic future for the squad which has been saddled by misfortunes after making it to the playoffs for only once in the past seven conferences. Under the system of new head coach Jeffrey Carriaso, the Bossing showed better character and fluidity as seldom-used Mike Ayonayon and Rey Suerte took advantage of their minutes to lead Blackwater to the usually elusive win. Ayonayon finished with 16 points while Suerte added 14 as Blackwater built a lead that went to as high as 18 points before pulling off the big plays down the stretch to keep the Road Warriors at bay. It was Suerte who spearheaded a strong first half for the Bossing, dropping 10 of his total in the first two quarters where they built a 49-31 lead. The Road Warriors though refused to go down without a fight as Sean Anthony and Bong Galanza joined hands in a huge third quarter flurry to come within two, 71-69, late in the third frame. NLEX would keep itself within two halfway through the final quarter before Ayonayon scored a huge and-1 play and Ato Ular scored on a short stab to reestablish a seven-point cushion, 85-78. The Road Warriors, behind the efforts of Anthony and Don Trollano, still threatened in the final five minutes of the contest, only for their hopes of authoring a comeback getting dashed away by crucial baskets from RK Ilagan and Joshua Torralba. Anthony paced NLEX with 18 points and eight rebounds while Trollano posted a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds. The Road Warriors also got solid contributions from its 3x3 players in Galanza, Dominic Fajardo and Tzady Rangel who have been called up for the preseason games. Galanza finished with 13, Fajardo with 13 and Rangel with four.