PBA: Blackwater gets first win, hands Meralco its first loss

Blackwater Bossing rookie Sedrick Barefield blitzes against Meralco defenders during a PBA Commissioner’s Cup game. –PBA IMAGES

Blackwater finally scored its first win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after ending the unbeaten start of import-less Meralco, 114-98, Thursday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Rookie Sedrick Barefield scored a season-high 33 points on top of five rebounds and nine assists as the Bossing ended a 0-3 start in the midseason conference.

Import George King added 32 for Blackwater, which also capitalized on Meralco playing sans reinforcement DJ Kennedy due to an injury.

READ: PBA: George King hopes Blackwater’s rise leads to more fans

Kennedy’s absence added to the Bolts’ manpower woes with several key players on the injury list and their bid to go 4-0 was thwarted.

The Bossing also arrested their winless run while adjusting to life minus big man Troy Rosario, who is now with Barangay Ginebra.

Rosario left Blackwater after the Governors’ Cup as an unrestricted free agent after playing four conferences spanning two years.

READ: PBA: Troy Rosario thanks Blackwater after contract expiration

Chris Newsome finished with 21 points for the Bolts, who’s next PBA game is on Christmas Day against the Converge FiberXers at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

But Meralco is also due to resume its stint in the East Asia Super League in South Korea against the KCC Egis in Busan on Dec. 18.