MANILA – Sedrick Barefield knocked down timely conversions in the endgame as Blackwater Bossing prevailed over Phoenix Fuel Masters, 123-111, in the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After seeing their once 21-point lead cut to as low as five points at 109-104, Barefield stepped up with a three-pointer, a perimeter basket, and a split free throw to stretch the lead to 115-104.
The Fuel Masters still tried to make their last push at 109-117 on baskets from new import Brandone Francis, but the Bossing answered back with conversions from George King and Barefield to seal the win.
Barefield, the No. 2 overall pick in the PBA Season 49 Rookie Draft, finished with a career-high of 32 points and five rebounds as the Bossing notched their second straight win for a 2-3 win-loss slate.
“I feel like I am just being more of myself and that comes with my trust in my guys, my teammates and my coaches,” Barefield said in a post-game interview. “Just hard work and just staying in the gym.”
King led the Bossing with 44 points, including two four-points shots, to go with 13 rebounds, and four assists, Regile Kent Ilagan added 14 markers, and Jeth Troy Rosario contributed 12 markers in the dominant win.
“We knew that a new import is coming in (for Phoenix), give them some life, give them some motivation the same way George did for us, so we expect them to be ready and good and they were,” said Bossing head coach Jeffrey Cariaso.
“But George is there for us, matching up their import’s points, he matched the energy, he matched the defending, and everything that we talked about during our practice,” he added.
Francis debuted with 45 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, and two steals, while Jason Perkins contributed 29 markers and eight rebounds as the Fuel Masters remained winless in four games./PN
BOX SCORE:
BLACKWATER 123 – King 44, Barefield 32, Ilagan 14, Rosario 12, David 8, Escoto 6, Chua 4, Kwekuteye 3, Guinto 0, Mitchell 0, Montalbo 0, Suerte 0, Ponferrada 0.
PHOENIX 111 – Francis 45, Perkins 29, Garcia 8, Manganti 7, Tio 5, Mocon 4, Ballungay 4, Muyang 3, Salado 2, Rivero 2, Soyud 2, Alejandro 0, Jazul 0, Daves 0, Tuffin 0, Verano 0.
Quarterscores: 27-23, 64-58, 103-84, 123-111.
