Allan Mangahas (dark/blackwater) vs Jeff Viernes and Ken Acibar. Nuki Sabio/PBA
MANILA, Philippines – Boracay Rum has not lost back-to-back this 2013 PBA D-League Foundation Cup, and it wasn’t about to let that happen on Thursday.
While the players weren’t made aware of that, the Waves’ head coach Lawrence Chongson trusted his players’ resiliency to pull them through.
And it did, as Boracay Rum staved off elimination with 69-65 victory over Blackwater Sports in the best-of-three semifinals, forging a winner-take-all Game 3 for Tuesday next week.
“During those games where we have our backs against the walls, those were the occasions where we strive,” said Chongson in Filipino. “All conference long I don’t think we have lost back-to-back games.”
This time, Boracay Rum seized the momentum from the get-go and clamped down on star guard Allan Mangahas and then let Blackwater play catch-up all game.
The Waves pushed the lead to the biggest 53-41 at the end of three quarters, a stark contrast from their last meeting where the Elite pulled away.
“From the get go, Mangahas is my target. He had MVP numbers in game one. And I told Lucas Tagarda to follow him wherever he goes,” said Chongson.
Mangahas only had five points on 1-of-11 shooting, along with eight rebounds and four assists, after racking up 14 points and eight dimes in Game 1 last Tuesday.
But the wiry guard still managed to make an impact as it sparked the Elite’s last ditch rally, scoring all his five points in the third.
Blackwater even pulled to within two points 65-67 on quick back-to-back triples by forward Kevin Ferrer with 15.9 ticks remaining, but Boracay Rum pulled them back with clutch freethrows.
“There’s hardly anything you could do about Ferrer’s triples. I’m just glad we prevailed. It was a good thing we made our freethrows in the end.”
Ferrer, along with Gio Ciriacruz, added 14 points apiece for Blackwater.
Mac Sabellina led the Waves with 14 points, making the Elite pay with his timely, and even contested, long jumpers in the fourth quarter.
“He played the fireman’s role today. When we had nowhere to go he stepped up for us,” said Chongson.
Ken Acibar also had 14 markers and eight rebounds, where Boracay Rum had a huge edge versus Blackwater 56-41.