MANILA – Blackwater Bossing survived an endgame uprising by the San Miguel Beermen for a 103-101 victory in the 2023 PBA on Tour last night at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City.
Ahead 99-93 after two free throws by Jeth Troy Rosario, the Beermen stunned the Bossing with an 8-0 scoring blast behind Ilonggo Jericho Cruz and Allyn Bulanadi to take a 101-99 lead with 32 seconds left.
Beermen’s John Apacible, however, committed an unsportsmanlike foul that led to three free throws by Jvee Casio to give the Bossing a 102-101 edge. Baser Amer sealed the win for Blackwater with a split free throw.
Rosario top-scored with 19 points to go with five rebounds and four assists, while Casio, Amer and Michael Digregorio contributed 13 markers apiece and Rashawn McCarthy ended with 10 as the Bossing scored back-to-back wins to improve to 5-3 win-loss slate.
“Masaya kami na nakuha namin ‘yung (winning) streak na gusto namin,” Rosario said. “Nagsimula kami sa PBA on Tour na panalo-talo, panalo-talo, ngayon lang kami nakadalawang sunod na panalo.”
Bulanadi led the way with 26 points, Cruz contributed 25 markers, while Marvin Lee, John Apacible and John Rodney Brondial had 15, 11 and 10, respectively, as the Beermen dropped to 2-6.
Meanwhile, Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots continued its unbeaten run in the pre-season tournament with a 121-101 domination over Meralco Bolts. The Hotshots improved to 6-0, while the Bolts dropped to 4-3.
The Hotshots went to work early as they established a 27-18 lead behind conversions from Jiovani Jalalon, Andy Mark Barroca and Paul Lee before they widened it to 59-45 at the half with triples from Lee.
The Bolts went on a huge run in the third quarter as they cut the deficit to 69-73 but the Hotshots had a quick response from Barroca, Lee and Joseph Eriobu as the lead reached its largest at 23 points.
Lee tallied 28 points, including seven three-point conversions, to lead the Hotshots, Jalalon chipped in 18 markers, while James Laput contributed double-double 14 points and 10 rebounds.
BOX SCORE:
BLACKWATER 103 – Rosario 19, Digregorio 13, Casio 13, Amer 13, McCarthy 10, Sena 9, Suerte 8, Ilagan 6, Ayonayon 4, Banal 4, Ular 2, Publico 2, Escoto 0.
SAN MIGUEL 101 – Bulanadi 26, Cruz 25, Lee 15, Apacible 11, Brondial 10, Baclao 7, Faundo 4, Dela Cruz 3, De Vera 0.
Quarterscores: 28-21, 59-60, 79-75, 103-101./PN
