The PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday played at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium featured the hottest team in the league and a winless one. The hot team stayed hot and the winless one stayed in search of a win. Here is a recap of the action:
Blackwater Repels Terrafirma, Keeps Bleak Playoff Chance Alive
George King bucked a slow start to lead the Blackwater Bossing to a much-needed 96-86 victory over the winless Terrafirma Dyip.
King finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds and got plenty of help all around for the Bossing, who engaged Terrafirma in a close battle throughout. Justin Chua churned out a double-double of 17 points and 12 boards, bouncing back from a scoreless game against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. Mike Ayonayon added 15 points and 3 steals, while Jaydee Tungcab chipped in 11 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals.
Brandon Edwards fired 29 points and grabbed 16 rebounds for the Dyip, who went a measly 19-for-38 from the stripe. Louie Sangalang contributed 17, while Brent Paraiso had 12.
Up next:
Blackwater vs. Converge FiberXers on January 19 (Ynares Center)
Terrafirma Dyip vs. Hong Kong Eastern on January 17 (PhilSports Arena)
The Scores:
Blackwater (96) – King 26, Chua 17, Ayonayon 15, Tungcab 11, David 8, Suerte 7, Escoto 4, Casio 2, Ponferrada 2, Jopia 2, Montalbo 2
Terrafirma (86) – Edwards 29, Sangalang 17, Paraiso 12, Pringle 9, Nonoy 9, Ferrer 7, Carino 2, Romeo 1
TNT Upends NLEX, Inches Towards Top Spot
TNT Tropang Giga are definitely rounding into championship form, notching a fifth straight win at the expense of the NLEX Road Warriors, 94-87.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was his usual all-around self against NLEX, pouring in 23 points on top of 14 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocks. RR Pogoy chipped in 18, while Calvin Oftana added 14 in a relatively quiet night. But he came through in the clutch, sinking a digger three that gave TNT a 93-85 lead with less than a minute left.
Mike Watkins had another monster double-double of 33 points and 20 rebounds for the Road Warriors, who actually entered the fourth quarter ahead, 67-63. Kevin Alas added 16 but couldn’t quite make up for an ineffective Robert Bolick, who played through an illness.
Up next:
TNT vs. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on January 17 (PhilSports Arena)
NLEX vs Phoenix Fuel Masters on January 19 (Ynares Center)
The Scores:
TNT (94) – Hollis-Jefferson 23, Pogoy 18, Oftana 14, Aurin 8, Erram 8, Castro 6, Razon 6, Nambatac 5, Galinato 2, Williams 2, Khobuntin 2
NLEX (87) – Watkins 33, Alas 16, Torres 7, Policarpio 6, Mocon 6, Herndon 6, Bolick 4, Valdez 4, Rodger 3, Ramirez 2
PBA Commissioner’s Cup: Next on the Schedule
The PBA Commissioner’s Cup continues on Thursday with a double-header of teams with winning records and of teams fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive. The NorthPort Batang Pier and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters look to rebound from tough losses in the first game. The Phoenix Fuel Masters and the Magnolia Hotshots look to move up the standings in the second game.
