PBA D-League: Blackwater edges EA Regen; Elite dugout ransacked

MANILA, Philippines — Blackwater Sports leaned on the heroics of Allan Mangahas and Justine Chua to upend EA Regen, 71-67, Tuesday in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Blue Eagle Gym.

Mangahas, who has stepped up big time since the departure of then starting point guard Jeric Fortuna, buried the go-ahead basket, 68-67, with under a minute remaining before Chua put the game away on a three-point play despite the challenge put up by NCAA MVP Ian Sangalang with only 26 seconds left.

“We dictated the game almost throughout and we didn’t want to lose our grip in the last three minutes,” said Blackwater head coach Leo Isaac. “So I reminded the boys during our last timeout to hang in there and keep their focus.”

“They did exactly what they were told. This is a big win for us,” added Isaac, whose team upped its league-best mark to 7-1. “Playing disciplined basketball offensively and defensively is key to our success this conference. It doesn’t matter whether we win by 10 or one point. The bottom line is getting a win.”

Blackwater’s celebration though was cut short after learning that their dugout had been ransacked by still unidentified thieves.

Mangahas flirted with a triple-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists while Chua went just a rebound shy of a double-double with 11 points, nine of which came in the second half.

And while the Elite got their offense from Mangahas, Chua and as well as Gio Ciriacruz, who had 17 points, Pari Llagas and Kevin Ferrer provided the defense.

Llagas and Ferrer teamed up to hold down EA Regen’s other big man Raymond Almazan to just five points and nine rebounds.

Sangalang led the Delta with 14 points and 13 rebounds but it wasn’t enough as his team’s three-game winning streak came to an end at three to fall to 4-3.

The scores:
Blackwater Sports 71 – Ciriacruz 17, Mangahas A. 15, Chua 11, Celiz 8, Llagas 7, Bagatsing 2, Vigil 2, Ferrer 2, Pe 2, Mangahas 2, Suguitan 2, Austria 1, Mazo 0.

EA Regens 67 – Sanggalang 14, Terso 12, Bautuista 10, Aquino 9, Maiquez 6, Almazan 5, Sanga 3, Semira 3, Tolentino 2, Ko 2, Apinan 1, Allen 0, Miranda 0.

Quarters: 19-18; 34-30; 49-50; 71-67