PBA IMAGES.
Carlo Lastimosa poured in a career-high 38 points to carry Blackwater to a wire-to-wire 116-92 stunner over Barako Bull Friday in the 2016 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The third-year guard caught fire, registering a 14-of-20 shooting clip, including a 5-of-8 shooting from rainbow country.
He gave the Elite their biggest lead of the game at 27 with a triple late in the fourth as Blackwater improved to 2-7 and stayed in the quarterfinal hunt.
Lastimosa was also the hero on the Elite’s first win of the conference after he nailed the game-winner back in November 4 against Meralco, 92-90.
“May konting takot kami entering into this game. Sayang kasi yung laro namin sa Ginebra last Saturday kasi pwedeng manalo,” said coach Leo Isaac, reflecting on Blackwater’s 102-94 double-overtime letdown. “Kung nanalo sana, medyo tataas ang confidence at morale ng mga players. So we really have to push them during practice and kept on telling them about the importance of our remaining games.”
Art dela Cruz contributed 21 markers and six rebounds in the huge victory while Bambam Gamalinda added 15 points and 10 boards for Blackwater.
Willy Wilson led Barako Bull (4-5) with 23 points and seven boards, while Josh Urbiztondo went 5-of-9 from threes to wound up with 17 markers.
The scores:
BLACKWATER 116 – Lastimosa 38, Dela Cruz 21, Gamalinda 15, Cortez 9, Golla 9, Erram 6, Reyes 5, Cervantes 4, Sena 4, Vosotros 3, Canada 2, Agovida 0, Ballesteros 0.
BARAKO BULL 92 – Wilson 23, Urbiztondo 17, Fortuna 13, Pennisi 10, Lanete 6, Brondial 5, Forrester 4, Intal 4, Monfort 4, Baracael 2, Caperal 2, Miranda 2, Sorongon 0.
Quarters: 26-12, 56-37, 81-66, 116-92.