Blackwater rookie Sedrick Barefield during a PBA Governors’ Cup game against GInebra Gin Kings. –PBA IMAGES
Blackwater got going in the third period and kept it together in the most critical of times down the stretch on Friday night to take down Barangay Ginebra, 95-88, for a breakthrough win in the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup.
The Bossing rode the hot hand of new import George King, who finished with 33 points and 19 rebounds, keeping themselves from sliding into a deeper hole in the conference while also ending a five-year drought against the crowd darlings.
“(This is) really huge. I think more than just the history and the slump for the last five years, it’s just about staying in the conference. We knew our backs have been against the wall having given up three games,” head coach Jeff Cariaso said shortly after the victory at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila that had the club improving to 1-4 in Group A play.
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Blackwater’s last win over Ginebra was during the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup, when the club was led by Ray Parks Jr. and coach Aris Dimaunahan.
“George just came at a perfect time,” Cariaso said of the new reinforcement, who took over Ricky Ledo.
Blackwater Bossing import George King against Ginebra Gin Kings’ Japeth Aguilar in a PBA Governors’ Cup game. –PBA IMAGES
No. 2 pick Sedrick Barefield chipped in 13 more, including a four-point shot in the dying moments of the game, effectively putting the game to bed and dealing their fancied foes their second loss in three outings.
“We knew he had that in him. Thats one of the reasons why we’re blessed to acquire Sed,” Cariaso said of his rookie, who have had prior overseas stints before playing in the PBA.
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“We’re happy that we have a guy like that who’s willing and able to take such kind of shots.”
Justin Brownlee had 37 points on a 38.2 percent shooting clip. Japeth Aguilar had 17 points and 11 rebounds, while RJ Abarrientos tossed in 10 more for Ginebra in the losing stand where they trailed for as many as 14 points.
Blackwater tries to annex a second straight win against Phoenix on Sept. 3, while Ginebra goes up against NLEX on the same playdate.