Lastimosa, Bulawan lead Blackwater in Malaysia tilt opener

Blackwater’s Carlo Lastimosa. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Carlo Lastimosa and Gilbert Bulawan carried Blackwater past Taiwan’s Chien Hsin University of Science and Technology, 99-81 at the start of the 2016 Penang Chief Minister Cup International Basketball Invitational Championships in Penang, Malaysia.

Lastimosa, the Elite’s fast-rising star, led the Elite with 20 points including three triples to help turn a slim seven-point lead into a 71-53 bubble late in the third period.

“Maganda naman ang pinakita natin, but if they can learn from their their mistakes, mas magiging maganda ang lalaruin natin sa susunud na mga games,”said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac.

Bulawan also contributed nine points and six rebounds off the bench.

“Special mention to Gilbert Bulawan because of his effort on the defensive end. The effort and energy na binibigay niya, it awakens the players dahil kung kaya niya, kaya rin nila,” added Isaac.

Backup point guard Raphael Reyes chipped in 16, while Reil Cervantes added 11 for the Elite, who are preparing for the PBA Governors Cup set to start next month.

Blackwater returns to action on Saturday against Thailand Pea Basketball Club.

The shorter Thais were no match against the tall and quick Zhejiang Chouzhou Commercial Bank-China, 89-68 in the opening game.

The scores:
Blackwater 99- Lastimosa 20, Reyes 16, Cervantes 11, Bulawan 9, Gamalinda 8, Pascual 8, Canada 7, Erram 5, Dela Cruz 4, Sumang 4, Sena 4, Vosotros 3
CHUST81 – Chien You Che 17, Lo Yu Hung 15, Huang Hun Hang 13, Lee Kuan Yi 10, Tseng Pin Fu 9, Lin Pei Chen 8, Lee Kun Yu 3, Cheng Hun Lin 0, Lu Cha Cheng 0
Quarter: 24-19, 48-38, 78-61, 99-81