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[av_heading heading=’Elite drubs Phoenix, 94-87, in Belo’s PBA PH Cup debut ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Rey Mark “Mac” Belo immediately made his presence felt for the Blackwater Elite as it scored a 94-87 win over the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the 2016-2017 Oppo PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Belo, the top-overall pick in the 2016 PBA Rookie Draft, debuted with 17 points and nine rebounds for the Elite, which began the conference, for the first time, with a win to tie with the San Miguel Beermen on top.
Arthur Dela Cruz chipped in double-double 12 markers and 10 rebounds, while Dennis Miranda and Dylan Ababou had 11 and nine points, respectively, for the Elite, which underwent a massive roster shake-up during the off-season.
The Elite went on a quick 16-3 start behind triples by Ronjay Buenafe and Belo, but the Fuel Masters was quick to respond courtesy of Simon Enciso and JC Intal to come to within 27-23.
The Fuel Masters continued its run early in the second frame to snatch a 38-34 lead on an Enciso triple. But the Elite quickly answered back behind Raphael Banal and Buenafe for a 45-43 halftime lead.
The Elite pulled away anew early in the third canto behind Nard Pinto and Belo for a 50-43 edge. After another run to put the Fuel Masters ahead at 64-63, the Elite snatched the lead at 71-69 on back-to-back triples by Dylan Ababou.
The Elite went on a strong surge in the fourth quarter to build a huge 84-75 lead behind Reil Cervantes and Miranda. The Fuel Masters then made its last run behind Enciso to come to within 87-83.
Free throws by Miranda and Pinto increased Elite’s lead to 90-85. The Fuel Master had conversions from Enciso and William Wilson before the Elite sealed the victory with conversions from Belo and Dela Cruz.
Enciso finished with a career-high 25 points, including seven three-pointers, while rookie Angelo Alolino chipped in 11 markers for the Fuel Masters, which curiously did not use No. 2 overall pick Matthew Wright./PN
SCORES
BLACKWATER 94 – Belo 17, Dela Cruz 12, Miranda 11, Ababou 9, Buenafe 8, Pinto 8, Pascual 7, Forrester 7, Sena 6, Aguilar 4, Banal 3, Cervantes 2
PHOENIX 87 – Enciso 25, Alolino 11, Intal 10, W. Wilson 10, Borboran 6, Caperal 6, J. Wilson 5, Baguio 4, Torres 4, Lanete 4, Hayes 0, Javillonar 0, Miranda 0
QUARTERS – 27-23, 45-43, 71-69, 94-87
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