Blackwater keeps playoff hopes alive, survives late NLEX rally

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Seemingly rejuvenated from the All-Star break, Blackwater kept its flickering hopes alive in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a 104-98 escape act over NLEX Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Greg Smith carried the Elite with 24 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks, while Nino Canaleta got himself going from beyond the arc, going 5-of-11 shooting from threes to finish with 22 markers and five boards.

Mike DiGregorio also had 22 on a 4-of-8 three-point shooting clip, alongside four assists and three rebounds.

“Going into this game, I told the players to just give ourselves a good chance of making it to the final round,” coach Leo Isaac said, as he seeks to continue Blackwater’s rise in the standings as it sports a 2-6 card.

“We want to be in a good position to make it to the next level,” he added. “We’re down one and we hope that we can make the preparation for that game, to be in a good position by winning that game on Sunday against Mahindra.”

The Elite took control early and maintained its dominance in the third quarter, where DiGregorio’s hot shooting led the squad to a 37-point outburst and got them to a lead as high as 18, 86-68.

NLEX, though, stayed within striking distance behind Wayne Chism and Carlo Lastimosa, getting to as close as four, 102-98 with a pair of Sean Anthony freebies with 1:26 to play.

The Road Warriors, however, failed to make their baskets late as Mark Cruz iced the game with a pair of free throws with 11.0 ticks remaining.

With this Blackwater victory, NLEX has been virtually eliminated this conference with its 0-8 slate.

Kevin Alas carried the Road Warriors with 18 points and four rebounds off the bench, while Rabeh Al-Hussaini had 17 markers and three boards.

Import Wayne Chism was limited to just nine points and 15 rebounds in his 32 minutes on the floor. /atm

The Scores:

BLACKWATER (104): Smith 24, Canaleta 24, DiGregorio 22, Cruz 9, Pinto 7, Pascual 6, Cervantes 4, Aguilar 4, Sena 2, Gamalinda 2, Sumang 0, Buenafe 0.
NLEX (98): Alas 18, Al-Hussaini 17, Lastimosa 10, Taulava 10, Anthony 9, Chism 9, Khobuntin 8, Camson 5, Villanueva J. 4, Monfort 4, Soyud 3, Rios 1, Tiongson 0, Guinto 0, Baracael 0.

Quarters: 28-17, 49-42, 86-68, 104-98.