MANILA, Philippines — Blackwater coach Aris Dimaunahan has asked just one thing from his Elite of late: “Continue to improve.”
From there, he knows that the results will just follow.
Drawing balanced scoring Sunday night, Blackwater rolled to its third straight victory, a 118-110 dismantling of Columbian Dyip to regain the early lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
“The guys are committed to improve,” the rookie mentor said. “[And] I think that’s the [best] thing about our team right now.”
Five players scored twin digits for the Elite, with super rookie Ray Parks shooting 23 and burly import Lance Stepheson finishing with 26 points and 21 rebounds.
Justin Brownlee scored 27 points, had 12 rebounds and missed a triple double by two assists in leading Barangay Ginebra to a 110-95 win over Meralco in the nightcap.
Japeth Aguilar had 19 points and Scottie Thompson came off the bench to shoot 11 points and grab 10 rebounds as the Gin Kings rose to 1-1 while dealing the Bolts a second loss in three games.
The victory also moved the Elite within another win of duplicating a franchise-best 4-0 start achieved in last season’s Governors’ Cup.
And that will be a big challenge for Dimaunahan and his improving crew as they face debuting Phoenix Pulse on Friday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
After that, Blackwater will battle Rain or Shine. The Fuel Masters and the Elasto Painters finished 1-2 in the elimination round of the Philippine Cup.
“We know that those teams are seasoned. We have to really work for those wins,” said Dimaunahan. Mac Belo and Allein Maliksi contributed 19 each to help the Elite hold off the Dyip in the stretch.
“We shared the wealth again,” Dimaunahan said. “We had 22 assists. The last time out, we had 27. I think the guys are really into sharing the basketball.”
Blackwater took good care of the ball, finishing with just nine turnovers against Columbian’s 20.