Blackwater import George King against Phoenix in the PBA Governors’ Cup.–PBA IMAGES
High on willing his team to its first win just a couple of nights ago, Sedrick Barefield was big for Blackwater yet again, this time in a 123-111 conquest of Phoenix in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
The crafty guard, selected 2nd overall in the Rookie Draft, had 32 points, three rebounds, and five assists as the Bossing annexed a second straight win in Group B at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City Tuesday night.
“I feel like I’m just being more of myself and just that comes with trusting my guys. We did our jobs at a high level today and I just attribute [that] to trusting my guys [along with] hard work and staying at the gym,” he said in the customary post-game presser.
“It’s always good to just come into a game with momentum from winning. I [thought] it was going to carry us. Hopefully, we get to keep the same energy,” he added.
King’s night
Blackwater lost to Rain or Shine, NLEX, and then San Miguel before it broke through against Barangay Ginebra last Friday—a win that wouldn’t have been possible without new import George King.
King was big again Tuesday night, finishing with 44 points and 13 rebounds to match Phoenix counterpart Brandon Francis, who had 45 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in his debut.
“We knew that their import was going to come in, give them a new life, give them motivation the same way George did for us, so we were expecting them to be ready and to be good and they were,” head coach Jeff Cariaso said.
“But what happened there was George King. Him stepping up and matching not only the points but the energy, the defending, and all the things we talked about in practice,” he added.
Blackwater led by as many as 21 points in the contest. Barefield took the fight out of the Fuel Masters, who tried to threaten as the game wound down.
Now, the Bossing set their sights on the Road Warriors, whom they battle once again this Friday.
“I think we’re starting to pick it up a little bit more, paying more attention to detail, trusting each other a little bit more. I know the first three games weren’t our best and that they’re not a testament of who we are. This is good momentum for us,” Barefield said.
Jason Perkins had 29 points and eight rebounds to lead all locals of the Fuel Masters, who will try to end the first round of the group play with a win over Barangay Ginebra also this coming Friday. INQ