Allan Mangahas (dark/blackwater) vs Greg Slaughter and Borgie Hermida. PBA IMAGES/Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — Robby Celiz found Kevin Ferrer underneath to put them ahead anew with 14.4 seconds left and Blackwater held on to a 70-67 stunning win over NLEX Thursday in the 2013 PBA D-League Foundation Cup.
This was the only blemish in all of the nine games in the finals of the Road Warriors, the only champions of the league since its inception.
“I just reminded them of the players who we know will hurt us in the game,” said head coach Leo Isaac in Filipino. “We need to stay disciplined.”
Ronald Pascual was one of those players, heating up late in the game to deliver two straight triples which gave NLEX a 67-66 lead with 2:09 left.
But Blackwater, with still enough time at its disposal, managed to stay patient and struck when it needed most down the stretch.
“Naisip ko yun pero may oras pa kami eh. We had time to reorganize. We were successful in regrouping,” shared Isaac.
Even with surplus of costly turnovers in the final two minutes, the Elite didn’t let up on defense as NLEX never scored anew after Pascual’s six straight.
After Ferrer’s go-ahead triple, Blackwater thwarted NLEX’s next possession by intercepting Kirk Longs’s inbound pass intended for Nico Salva across the court.
Salva then fouled Pari Llagas, who got the leather, before another foul by NLEX sent sly guard Allan Mangahas to shoot the freebies which eventually iced the game.
“For us, it all boils down to team basketball, discipline on offense and defense. Basic basketball,” said Isaac.
Justin Chua led the Elite, who survived Blackwater in three games in the semifinals, with 17 points while Mangahas added 16 built around four treys.
Blackwater seized control of the game with a 27-15 run in the third quarter.
Three Road Warriors scored in double digits, but it was their poor rebounding, 44-53, especially in the offensive end which proved costly.
Garvo Lanete had 12 while Salva and Pascual chipped in 10 apiece.
The scores:
Blackwater 70 — Chua 17, Mangahas A. 16, Llagas 8, Ciriacruz 7, Celiz 7, Ferrer 6, Suguitan 5, Bagatsing 2, Vigil 2, Mazo 0, Pe 0, Mangahas J. 0, Austria 0.
NLEX 67 — Lanete 12, Salva 10, Pascual R. 10, Slaughter 9, Long 7, Villarias 6, Pascual J. 6, Camson 4, Alas 3, Amer 0, Hermida 0, Garcia 0.