Ilagan finishes what Rosario started as Blackwater frustrates Terrafirma
Troy Rosario put up his finest performance while RK Ilagan delivered big plays down the stretch as Blackwater frustrated Terrafirma, 100-94, to get back on the winning track in the PBA on Tour on Wednesday, May 31, at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
The Bossing leaned on a blistering third quarter flurry to create some separation but it was Ilagan who took Blackwater home with a booming triple, a huge rebound and a clutch layup to seal the deal over the hard-fighting Dyip side.
Rosario displayed his best performance in Blackwater uniform with 20 points while Ilagan scored five of his 12 points in the final two minutes of the contest. Rashawn McCarthy also contributed with 13 points while Baser Amer and Mike Ayonayon added 11 and 10, respectively. After a tightly contested first half, the Bossing got their bearings going on both ends of the floor, exploding for 31 points in the quarter while limiting the earlier hot-shooting Dyip to just 19 points. Blackwater established the first double-digit lead of the game, 84-73, heading into the final frame. The victory, however, didn’t come without a scare as Terrafirma tried to rally back late in the fourth quarter behind the efforts of Andreas Cahilig before Ilagan put the brakes on Dyip's streaking comeback attempt, cutting the lead down just seven. The pint-sized guard first drained a booming triple before outhustling Cahilig and Isaac Go for the offensive rebound which he also converted with a layup to restore a double-digit spread, 99-89, with 33 ticks left. Terrafirma still refused to give up and still threatened in the final minute but Blackwater’s lead proved to be enough to preserve the win. Juami Tiongson paced the Dyip with an all-around effort of 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while Allen Mina started out strong but slowed down in the second half after suffering an ankle injury and settled for 19 points. Cahilig also put up a double-double effort of 16 points and 13 rebounds but it was not enough to help Terrafirma pick up its first win in the preseason exhibition tiff.
*Troy Rosario powers his way against the Terrafirma defense. (PBA Images)
*Rosario displayed his best performance in Blackwater uniform with 20 points while Ilagan scored five of his 12 points in the final two minutes of the contest. Rashawn McCarthy also contributed with 13 points while Baser Amer and Mike Ayonayon added 11 and 10, respectively. After a tightly contested first half, the Bossing got their bearings going on both ends of the floor, exploding for 31 points in the quarter while limiting the earlier hot-shooting Dyip to just 19 points. Blackwater established the first double-digit lead of the game, 84-73, heading into the final frame. The victory, however, didn’t come without a scare as Terrafirma tried to rally back late in the fourth quarter behind the efforts of Andreas Cahilig before Ilagan put the brakes on Dyip's streaking comeback attempt, cutting the lead down just seven. The pint-sized guard first drained a booming triple before outhustling Cahilig and Isaac Go for the offensive rebound which he also converted with a layup to restore a double-digit spread, 99-89, with 33 ticks left. Terrafirma still refused to give up and still threatened in the final minute but Blackwater’s lead proved to be enough to preserve the win. Juami Tiongson paced the Dyip with an all-around effort of 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while Allen Mina started out strong but slowed down in the second half after suffering an ankle injury and settled for 19 points. Cahilig also put up a double-double effort of 16 points and 13 rebounds but it was not enough to help Terrafirma pick up its first win in the preseason exhibition tiff.