Blackwater repulses Pharex, shares lead

MANILA, Philippines - Andrian Celeda scored 27 points and the Blackwater Elite rolled to their third consecutive win with a vengeful 86-75 romp over Pharex Thursday in the classification round of the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Lyceum of the Philippines University gym.

With their 2-3 zone holding Pharex to 37 percent shooting (7 of 19) in the third quarter, the Elite seized control of the match and gained a first place tie with idle NLEX in Group A with 3-1 marks.

“We have two goals going into the game. First, we want to get back at Pharex and second, we want to keep our streak going. I’m happy we achieved both,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac.

Pharex opened the third quarter with a 46-42 lead before Gio Ciriacruz knocked a 3-pointer as Blackwater scored the next 19 points to take the lead for good. Another 3 by Ciriacruz gave the Elite their biggest lead of the game at 66-50 late in the period.

Rocky Acidre scored 14 points and had seven rebounds, Ian Mazo added 13 points and Jonathan Belorio had 10 boards for Blackwater which outrebounded Pharex, 49-41.

The win also put the Elite in the hunt for an outright spot in the second round of the playoffs but Isaac said they’re taking it one game at a time.

“Right now that’s not a priority. But if we will have the opportunity, we’ll take it,” he said.

Jeff Morial and Raymond Aguilar each scored 15 points for Pharex, which fell to 2-2 (win-loss) record after their second disappointing loss.

Back-to-back 3-pointers by Morial pulled the Bidang Generix to 69-76 with five minutes to play but Gerald Lapuz split his free throws and Mazo added three more to bring the lead back to double digit.