Blackwater Elite used a key third-quarter surge to hold off newcomer Dub Unlimited, 78-62, Tuesday and grab the early lead in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the San Juan Gym.
Ice Ciriacruz and Jeric Fortuna joined forces in that stirring run that boosted the Elite to its second straight win in the tournament.
Ciriacruz, the Arellano U swingman who sat out the NCAA season because of injury, fired nine of his game-high 17 in the third period, while Fortuna, the University of Santo Tomas guard, who has shown a knack of taking over games, finished with 14 points and four assists.
“We didn’t know much about the other team, but it was good to see the players adjusting well against a team like Dub,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac.
In the second game, Big Chill turned back Cobra Energy Drink, 82-76, for its first win of the tournament.
Using solid defense, the Superchargers seized control early, but needed center Jewel Ponferrada to bail them out in the end when the Ironmen came within four.
The scores:
First Game
BLACKWATER 78—I. Ciriacruz 17, Fortuna 14, Bringas 12, Bautista 10, Marata 7, Pascual 5, G. Ciriacruz 4, Afuang 3, Villanueva 2.
DUB UNLIMITED 62—Aguilar 16, Teng 14, Wong 6, Bustos 5, Bolos 5, Hugnatan 4, Gamalinda 4, Leynes 3, Maniago 3, Melegrito 2.
Quarters: 21-14, 32-27, 58-42, 78-62
Second Game
BIG CHILL 82—Ponferrada 14, Mallari 13, Dizon 11, Reyes 10, Glorioso 9, Tan 9, Mangahas 7, Collado 4, Maconocido 3, Morillo 2, Santos 0, Galinato 0, Jensen 0, Custodio 0.
COBRA 76—Nimes 20, Cubo 11, Cortes 10, Zablan 9, Enguio 6, Stevens 5, Santos 4, Alas 4, Casajeros 4, Belorio 3, Sumido 0, Noble 0, Tagarda 0, Duran 0.
Quarters: 19-19, 44-30, 60-54, 82-76