Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Holding fort in numbing pressure against an enemy that is at its best in dire circumstances, Blackwater last night showed that it is ready to take the next step in its PBA life, and that is go deep in the playoffs.
The Elite bucked a long scoreless spell in the fourth period and made the shots that mattered in the stretch, pulling out a 103-100 Philippine Cup win over Alaska at Smart Araneta Coliseum that put them closer to a playoff appearance that would guarantee them a level playing field.
Mac Belo, Blackwater’s prized rookie, fired 21 points and Roi Sumang came off the bench to shoot 17 of his 19 in the second half as the Elite snapped a two-game skid and rose to 5-4, having two games remaining to nail that one victory that will assure them safe passage into the next round.
In the second game, Star whipped TNT KaTropa, 88-77, to create a tie with four others—including its victim—at 4-4.
“Only San Miguel is assured of a slot to the next round so we’ll take it one game at a time,” said Star coach Chito Victolero.
Blackwater coach Leo Isaac knows exactly what they need to do—and the attitude in which they need to pull it out.
“With two more games, I just want them to give their very best and where we end up, we will play in that situation,” Isaac said after three others also finished in twin digits. “We’re in the middle right now, and we will still play to our very best.
“I keep emphasizing to the players that if you give your best, your 100 percent, most likely you will get good results.”
Blackwater was at its best against Alaska, breaking free early in the fourth to lead, 92-78, before pulling out all the stops on both ends in the stretch that kept the Aces at bay as Alaska dropped to a level 4-4 card and to the lower half of the standings.
Blackwater made the quarterfinals here last year, but played just one game and got eliminated by Rain or Shine in a twice-to-win scenario.
If the Elite win at least one of their two remaining games, it would guarantee them a spot in a best-of-three series where anything can happen.
“We didn’t respect the game,” Alaska coach Alex Compton rued after emerging from the dugout, obviously referring to that momentary loss of composure in the fourth that allowed the Elite to peel away from what had been a very tight game.
“And give them (Elite) credit, they played great.”