Two winless teams—the Blackwater Bossing and Magnolia Hotshots—squared off on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. After 48 minutes of intense action, it was the Bossing that picked up their first win of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, pulling out a 97-91 upset of the Magnolia Hotshots.
What Happened?
Magnolia and Blackwater went toe-to-toe from the get-go, as expected of two teams looking for their first win. But the Hotshots got the slight advantage early on, finishing the opening frame ahead, 24-20, and entering halftime on top, 42-36.
The game continued to be tight in a splendidly played third quarter, where both teams breached the 30-point mark thanks to great execution and good shooting. Magnolia remained ahead, 72-67, at the end of three. But Blackwater, led by Sedrick Barefield, roared ahead to start the fourth, racing out to a 17-2 run to turn that five-point deficit into an 84-76 advantage. That strong start to the final canto was the difference, as the Bossing held on for the win.
Who Stood Out?
Sedrick Barefield was simply sensational, particularly in the fourth quarter, where he fired 16 of his 26 points—including 11 in that pivotal 17-2 blast to turn the game around. Robert Upshaw III, who replaced the injured Daniel Ochefu, proved to be a handful as well, debuting with 35 big points on top of 14 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 blocks.
Upshaw’s counterpart, Nuni Omot, had his best game for Magnolia, finishing with 38 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists in a losing cause. Zav Lucero was the only other local who shone for the Hotshots, tallying 15 points on 6-for-7 shooting while adding 6 boards and 2 blocks.
3 Keys to the Game
- Sedrick Barefield. While Magnolia didn’t establish sizable leads at any point, it still seemed in control in the first three quarters. Then, Sedrick Barefield happened in the fourth, as he exploded for 16 big points, including 11 in that backbreaking 17-2 run to start the final frame and lead Blackwater to victory.
- Rebounding. With Upshaw controlling the glass, Blackwater outrebounded Magnolia, 44-33, and had a 10-4 advantage on the offensive glass. This translated to several extra possessions and a slight 6-2 lead in second-chance points—crucial in a six-point win.
- Import play. The numbers show Omot basically played Upshaw even, but the latter’s impact was arguably more significant than the former’s. While Omot scored at a high rate and even dished out dimes, Upshaw did essentially the same—but also controlled the paint while doing so. Importantly, he seemed to galvanize the Bossing, giving them a legitimate inside presence to go to and through.
Next Up for the PBA
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | Ynares Center Antipolo
Terrafirma Dyip vs. Phoenix Fuel Masters (5:00 p.m.)
San Miguel Beermen vs. Converge FiberXers (7:30 p.m.)
