MANILA, Philippines — Make it three for Blackwater.
The Bossing showed Converge who’s in charge in their top-versus-bottom matchup, 90-78, to claim the solo lead in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jeff Cariaso’s fired-up charges threw everything at his former team and never let up, seizing big margins that reached a high 35 en route to the smashing follow up to their opening victories over Meralco (96-93) and TNT (87-76).
Blackwater went 3-0 – its best since toting a similar card in the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup – on the birthday of team owner Dioceldo Sy, making it a double celebration.
“So far, it’s a good start,” said Cariaso after his team got it done against the struggling FiberXers (0-3) and nosed ahead of erstwhile co-leader Terrafirma (2-0).
“But we’re staying humble, we’re staying focused because we know how quick things can turn so we’re just going to continue working hard.”
Christian David, their No. 2 rookie pick, delivered a breakout game of 16 points, spiked by three triples, five rebounds, one assist and one steal to earn his first Best Player of the Game accolade in the PBA.
“I’d say I’ve adjusted pretty well to the game here. I want to thank coach for trusting in me, believing in me and instilling confidence in me to go at it everyday and keep working and also my teammates for finding me today,” said David.
It was the Fil-Am rookie who actually got things started with his eight-point outburst in the first period, which enabled Blackwater to create a 30-14 separation.
Rey Suerte fired 14 to complement David while RK Ilagan, like Cariaso a former FiberXers, shot 12, all of them during a 19-3 bomb in the second that widened the gap to 49-18.
Richard Escoto stepped up to chip in 12 as Troy Rosario added 10 and Rey Nambatac, back after suffering an ankle sprain last game, scored seven.
The Bossing held the FiberXers to their franchise’s second lowest halftime score of 29 and stifled the latter to a 27 of 74 (36.5 percent) shooting overall.
“To me, the focus on defense and the way we executed the game plan was really something I’m happy about,” said Cariaso.
Alec Stockton (24), Deschon Winston (22) and Justin Arana (18) led the scoring parade for Converge, whose skid has actually extended to a seventh game dating back to the previous Commissioner’s Cup.