KIA import Peter John Ramos is trapped by the Blackwater double team of Bryan Faundo (left) and Marcus Douthit. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
BLACKWATER got a huge lift from rookie Brian Heruela as it snapped KIA’s first winning streak with a 115-104 win last night in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Heruela dished out career best 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in leading the Elite to only their second franchise victory while avenging the opening-day loss to their fellow expansion team.
“This was a long time coming,” said Elite coach Leo Isaac. “We have waited so long for this win. We felt we played lackluster basketball in the first conference against KIA. We should have won on opening day but this is sweet victory.”
Sunday Salvacion also sparkled with a conference-high 22 points, helping key a second quarter surge that allowed the Elite to gain command.
KIA import PJ Ramos finished with 49 points, but the Elite collectively negated his production even as veteran Eddie Laure also nailed clutch baskets to put the game beyond KIA’s reach.
Marcus Douthit was a rock for Blackwater with his double-double of 24 points and 14 boards, alongside six assists.
The Carnival, who fell to 3-5, came into the game on the heels of confidence-boosting wins over Purefoods and Talk ‘N Text.
KIA playing-coach Manny Pacquiao saw action in both games, but against the Elite, the boxer/congressman arrived late for the game and decided to focus on coaching the squad in his sendoff game before his departure to the United States in preparation for his fight with Floyd Mayweather.
The Carnival though broke out of the gates hard with a 12-3 opening salvo before Heruela keyed a 14-2 turnaround for the Elite.
With Heruela orchestrating the offense, Blackwater led by as large as 18 points in the third period. But Ramos kept the Carnival in the game with a series of baskets inside the paint, allowing the Elite to come within seven points twice, the last at 102-95, with four minutes remaining.
The scores:
BLACKWATER 115—Heruela 27, Douthit 24, Salvacion 22, Gamalinda 10, Laure 7, Reyes 6, Erram 6, Bulawan 6, Ballesteros 4, Faundo 2, Celiz 1.
KIA 104—Ramos 49, Avenido 10, Cervantes 9, Bagatsing 9, Thiele 8, Revilla 8, Buensuceso 3, Cawaling 2, Dehesa 2, Pascual 2, Yee 2, Poligrates 0, Alvarez 0.
Quarters: 29-21, 56-42, 83-69, 115-104