Cruz stars as Blackwater routs Arellano-Air21

Bacon Austria of Blackwater Sports (light) vs Jacklord Arquero of Arellano-Air21 (dark). Nuki Sabio/PBA

MANILA, Philippines — Jericho Cruz starred in Blackwater’s fourth quarter blast en route to a 101-82 romp of Arellano-Air21 Thursday in the 2014 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.

Cruz, the standout from Adamson in the UAAP, fuelled the Elite’s run in the payoff period which turned a measly four-point edge to  21-point lead in a matter of minutes.

After Webb trimmed it down to 68-64, Cruz retaliated with a three-point play and sparked Blackwater’s onslaught.

Cruz finished with 25 points for Blackwater, which also drew 19 and 14 points, respectively, from ex-pros Allan Mangahas and Gilbert Bulawan.

Blackwater, the league’s most recent champions, improved to 5-3 as it bounced back from a painful loss to Jumbo Plastic last year.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, fell to a league-worst record of 1-10.

Joshua Webb, the former La Salle forward, had 22 points for Arellano-Air21 while marksman Mon Rogado added 20 in a losing cause.