Mangahas, Cruz help Blackwater beat Derulo

Blackwater’s Allan Mangahas steals the ball from Derulo’s Raul Suyod. PHOTO BY NUKI SABIO/PBA

MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion Blackwater Sports bucked a scare to beat Derulo Accelero 96-93 in the 2014 PBA D-League Foundation Cup Monday at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao.

Guards Allan Mangahas and Mark Cruz led a fourth quarter charge, keying a late run to help the Elite pick up their second win in four games.

Mangahas scored 18 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out four assists while Cruz added 14 points on a perfect four-of-four shooting from long range.

Blackwater took a 93-85 lead with 1:15 remaining after trailing 54-64 at one point in the third period thanks to Mangahas and Cruz’s efforts.

The Oilers, losers of five straight in as many games, went on a 8-1 run to pull to within one, 93-94, on a rare 3-pointer by big man Raul Soyud with 17 seconds left.

Reil Cervantes made two free throws with 14 ticks to go after Cruz made only one-of-two set the final count with Clark Bautista missing a triple that would’ve sent the game into overtime.

Jiovani Jalalon had 22 points, nine assists and six rebounds while Soyud posted a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Oilers.

RELATED STORY

13 teams as NLEX, Blackwater, Kia Sports accepted into PBA