Sans King, gutsy Bossing spill Fuel Masters

MANILA, Philippines — Blackwater’s prolific import George King left big shoes to fill as he had to sit out in this crucial PBA Commissioner’s Cup game against Phoenix due to ankle issues.

But the Bossing’s locals proved up to the gargantuan task.

With Justin Chua, Christian David and JVee Casio leading a spirited fight, the gutsy Bossing beat the Donovan Smith-led Fuel Masters, 100-92, to keep their slim playoffs hopes alive last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Chua (22 points, 11 rebounds) and David (20-12) each dished out a double-double, Casio ably quarterbacked and netted 14 as Mike Ayonayon and Jewel Ponferrada chipped in 11 and 10, respectively, to make up for King’s void.

King, who accounts for 34.5 markers per night, was pulled out 30 minutes before tipoff as the foot that he tweaked last Sunday in their 109-127 loss to Converge hadn’t fully healed and still bothered him during the warmups.

“Everyone from (player) 1 to 15 stepped up. They just really fought and played their hearts out. And I couldn’t be more proud of the team,” beamed Cariaso after surviving one without King.

The win gave the Bossing a lifeline for now at 3-8 – tied with the Fuel Masters at 11th. However, if one among eighth-running San Miguel (4-5), and joint ninth Magnolia (4-6) and NLEX (4-6) reaches five wins, then it’s goodbye, quarterfinals for Blackwater and also Phoenix with one game to spare in their elims slates.

“A lot has to happen. The max that we could get would be four wins. If that opens a window, we’ll do our best and prepare. If we don’t have a window and it’s closed already, you can expect the guys to still go out and fight like we did tonight,” said Cariaso.

Cariaso’s crew seized an early 23-15 lead and kept Smith and Co. on the backfoot for most of the match before delivering the killer blows with an 8-0 closing barrage behind the exploits of Chua, David and Ponferrada.

Later, Kadeem Jack hit the go-ahead jumper with 16.7 seconds left as NorthPort weathered San Miguel Beer’s fourth-quarter storm, 105-104, to grab a share of second with Converge at 8-3 behind TNT (6-2).

The Beermen’s searing rally from 24 down fizzled out as the defending champions fell to 4-6.