A matchup of teams at the cellar opened PBA action on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium as the Titan Ultra Giant Risers went up against the Blackwater Bossing. In the end, it was Titan Ultra that managed to rise up in the standings with a 97-86 victory over the Bossing.
What Happened?
Blackwater started off hot, building as much as a 15-7 lead early only to see Titan Ultra nudge ahead, 20-18, after one. The Bossing retook the lead, 47-42, going into intermission with a strong second quarter. But Titan Ultra responded and flipped the script after halftime with a 29-20 third quarter to enter the fourth ahead, 71-67. The Giant Risers built on that lead in the fourth, 85-73, and cruised to their second win in six outings. Blackwater fell to 1-4.
Who Stood Out?
Calvin Abueva continued his redemption tour, this time with a 23-point, 14-rebound effort that he spiced up with 6 assists and 2 blocks. Fran Yu came off the bench and provided a spark with 14 points, 7 assists, and 2 steals.
Sedrick Barefield had his moments against Titan Ultra, ultimately finishing with 18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Troy Malilin, meanwhile, added 17 points in a breakout game of sorts.
3 Keys to the Game
- Aggressive Risers. The Giant Risers, led by Abueva, kept attacking Blackwater’s interior and put tremendous pressure on the Bossing’s undersized frontline. That aggressiveness also resulted in The Beast getting 15 of Titan Ultra’s 36 free-throw attempts (as opposed to Blackwater’s 26).
- Bench Play. Titan Ultra, led by Yu’s 14, got 35 points off the bench as compared to just 17 for Blackwater. That bench production perfectly complemented the strong play of Titan Ultra’s starters, who fired 62 themselves.
- Calvin Abueva. Put simply, The Beast bossed the Bossing around on his way to those impressive numbers. What’s more, he delivered whenever he pleased, giving Titan Ultra a main man throughout the game.
Next Up for the PBA
The PBA Philippine Cup for Season 50 continues on Friday, this time at the Ynares Center in Montalban. The first game will be between the TNT Tropang 5G and Terrafirma Dyip followed by a marquee matchup pitting the San Miguel Beermen against the Magnolia Hotshots.
TNT vs. Terrafirma (5:15 p.m.)
San Miguel vs. Magnolia (7:30 p.m.)
