Elite survive Romeo’s 9 treys for 1st win

 Terrence Romeo 

Greg Smith willed Blackwater past GlobalPort, 118-113, for the Elite’s first win in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Smith bullied his way to 40 points and 19 rebounds as the Elite improved to 1-4 by surviving a barrage of triples from the Batang Pier’s Terrence Romeo.

“After four heartbreaking losses, finally we’re able to break into the win column. This time, we played a lot smarter in the crucial moments of the game,” said Blackwater head coach Leo Isaac.

“He’s good. The thing is sometimes he gets frustrated so we’re mending ways on how we can involve him more,” Isaac said of his burly import, who had NBA stints with the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves.

In the second game, Meralco went on an early tear before holding off Alaska in the end for a 99-91 victory.

The Elite, who are playing minus three injured key players in Mac Belo, Art dela Cruz and JP Erram, turned to Smith down the stretch and also drew timely plays from guards Nard Pinto and Mike DiGregorio.

Blackwater took a 114-105 lead after a hook shot by Smith before Romeo and Pringle brought GlobalPort within one, 114-113, with 1:09 remaining.

But Smith scored off a goaltending call on new GlobalPort import Malcolm White as the Elite grabbed a 116-113 lead with 58.8 ticks left.

The Batang Pier slid to 0-4 despite getting huge productions from Terrence Romeo and White, who combined for 68 points.

Romeo led all locals with 35 points on 13-of-18 shooting from the field, highlighted by nine triples.