Elite twit Enforcers, gain last playoff slot

MANILA, Philippines - Trade acquisitions Mike Cortez and Reil Cervantes sparkled with record numbers as Blackwater repulsed Mahindra, 108-99, in a knockout duel for a first PBA playoff appearance at the MOA Arena in Pasay City last night.

Cortez, the 2003 former top draft selection, fired away a career-high 30 points while Cervantes put in a personal season best of 24 as the Elite topped the Enforcers to clinch the last berth in the 10-team playoff phase of the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup.

“This is our first playoff appearance from our entry to the PBA last year. This will be a new experience for the team, and I’m happy for our team management,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac.

“I’m happy as we’re getting results from being a ragtag expansion team last year. We’re developing a team that hopefully becomes competitive against top-caliber teams soon,” Isaac added.

In finishing 10th with a 3-8 win-loss slate in the elims, the Elite advanced to the next round versus No. 3 Rain or Shine, needing to win two straight games to make the knockout stage of the quarters.

With a closing 2-9 mark, Mahindra, meanwhile, remained in search of a first playoff appearance.

 “I’m sure Rain or Shine will play hard after narrowly missing an outright Final Four entry. Hopefully, we can compete. We’ll try to make it close and try to grab the game at endgame. Hopefully, we can win even one game,” said Isaac.

“I don’t consider this as an achievement yet. It’s only a win against a fellow expansion. For me, we have achieved nothing until such time Blackwater is already a team to reckon with,” Isaac added.

Blackwater was 12th and last in each of its first three conferences in pro play.

Cortez virtually conducted a clinic for fellow former La Salle player LA Revilla to lead the Elite to the breakthrough victory.

Barangay Ginebra secured the fourth spot in drubbing TNT, 91-84, later in the night.

Thus, the other quarter pairings pit No. 4 Ginebra versus No. 9 Star, No. 5 Globalport against No. 8 Barako Bull, and No. 6 TNT opposite No. 7 NLEX, with the higher seeds enjoying the twice-to-beat edge.

Playoff action starts on Christmas Day with the Gin Kings and the Batang Pier taking their first of two cracks at stage two of the quarters.