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Blackwater had its foot on the clutch pedal and downed the struggling Star, 100-98, for its first win in the PBA Governors’ Cup Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Eric Dawson gave the Elite the 99-98 lead with nine seconds remaining then JP Erram turn made his presence felt in the defensive end denying Allein Maliksi’s fade away with five ticks left.
Blackwater improved to 1-1 while The Hotshots slipped to a 0-2 start for the second straight conference.
“Good to have this victory after all what has happened to our team, especially what happened to Gilbert” said Elite head coach Leo Isaac.
Forward Gilbert Bulawan passed away during the team’s practice on July 3.
“Some players went there, nakidalamhati sila sa pamilya ni Gilbert.”
Maliksi could’ve been the hero Star needed when he got hold of the ball after a rebounding scramble then made a transition three at the right wing with 14 seconds left in the game to give the Hotshots a 98-97 lead.
Star import Marqus Blakely fouled out with more than 10 minutes remaining in the game allowing Isaac to gamble with Dawson, who had five fouls, in the closing seconds.
Erram led Blackwater with 16 points, six rebounds, and two blocked shots while Dawson had a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Carlo Lastimosa also finished in double figures for the Elite with 12 points.
Maliksi led Star with 20 points while Ian Sangalang added 19.