Blackwater outplays SMB

MANILA, Philippines — As long as the door remains open, Blackwater would continue knocking.

Clinging on to slim hopes, the Bossing took care of business by stunning San Miguel Beer, 111-94, in a do-or-die assignment in the PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The big-time reversal against the all-Filipino-playing, quarterfinals-bound Beermen lifted the Bossing to 4-5 and a tie for fourth with idle NLEX going to the last two playing days of the preliminaries.

“We want to stay alive tonight and that’s what happened,” said coach Jeff Cariaso after getting the lifeline and handing the Jordan Adams-less SMB back-to-back losses and 6-4 overall.

Blackwater and NLEX are locked in a heated dispute for the last available ticket to the playoffs from Group B.

But to advance, the Bossing would need NLEX to get stuck at four wins and lose to Ginebra today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Then they have to pick up their fifth W against Rain or Shine (7-2) tomorrow at the NAS.

“We’re just going to pray that what’s meant to be is going to happen. We’ll just do our job and prepare for Monday’s game against Rain or Shine ‘coz that’s the only thing we can control,” said Cariaso.

At the forefront of the Bossing’s life-saving efforts was George King, who punched in 49 big points highlighted by four four-balls and a pair of triples to go with 11 rebounds against SMB’s import-less crew.

With a gaping hole left by Adams’ absence due to a hamstring strain, King powered Blackwater to an early 30-21 separation. When the Beermen unleashed a furious rally in the second half, King launched his long-range bombs to widen the gap to an insurmountable 107-82 mountain.

Later, Meralco clobbered Terrafirma, 124-82, to end the elims at 7-3 and take the No. 2 seeding in Group A. The undermanned Dyip exited with 1-9.