Blackwater rookie Ato Ular. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Rookie Ato Ular played the game of his life while Baser Amer hit another game-winner on Friday afternoon as Blackwater slipped past Phoenix Super LPG, 91-89, in the PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Ular, drafted in the second round, turned in a career-best 34 points and 10 rebounds while Amer added in nine points, including the tough fadeaway jumper with 1.6 remaining to help the Bossing notch a mid-schedule victory to prime the club for the torturous schedule ahead.
Top pick Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser tossed in 16 points in the effort that had Blackwater rising to 5-1.
night night 😴 @baser09official#PBAGameTayoDito pic.twitter.com/icK0cUnN6O
— PBA (@pbaconnect) July 8, 2022
Jason Perkins had 22 points and eight rebounds, while Matthew Wright and rookie Tyler Tio added 15 each. Another freshman in Chris Lalata pumped in 10 more for Phoenix which absorbed its sixth defeat in eight meetings.
Coach Ariel Vanguardia said that the victory will serve as a big confidence boost going into Sunday’s battle against pacesetting San Miguel Beer.
The Fuel Masters, meanwhile, hope to stop the bleeding when they go up against idle NorthPort, which is also nursing a five-game slide.
The Scores:
BLACKWATER 91 – Ular 34, Ganuelas-Rosser 16, Amer 9, Suerte 7, McCarthy 5, Taha 5, Melton 5, Torralba 4, Casio 4, Ebona 2, Sena 0
PHOENIX 89 – Perkins 22, Tio 15, Wright 15, Lalata 10, Jazul 8, Anthony 6, Mocon 5, Muyang 4, Rios 2, Garcia 2, Melecio 0, Porter 0, Serrano 0, Pascual 0
Quarterscores: 16-19, 36-42, 61-66, 91-89.