PBA: Blackwater stops skid, routs Phoenix to end campaign

Blackwater’s Jaydee Tungcab.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Blackwater made the most out of a battle where pride was the only thing at stake, blowing Phoenix into smithereens with a 102-83 victory on Saturday afternoon at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Bossing snapped a seven-game skid with a bang behind Jaydee Tungcab’s career-best 19 points that went with five rebounds and four assists.

Troy Rosario chipped in a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds as Rey Nambatac, RK Ilagan, and Bradwyn Guinto tossed in at least 11 points each for the perennial league doormat, which finished the PBA Philippine Cup with a 4-7 win-loss mark for a 5-17 record overall in the season.

The Fuel Masters, one of the feel-good stories of the last Commissioner’s Cup, turned to Jason Perkins and JJay Alejandro who finished with 22 and 14 points, respectively. The petrol club thus wrapped their injury-riddled campaign with a 3-8 record.

On top of a graceful exit, Blackwater will have a chance to draft 2nd overall in the next Rookie Draft. The Bossing, however, have a track record of shipping away their top rookies early into their careers.

The two clubs, along with Converge, have since been eliminated from playoff contention.

One more team is expected to be bumped off from the race for the last quarterfinal spot which is expected to be resolved after Sunday’s double-header featuring Magnolia versus TNT and Barangay Ginebra against NLEX.

The Scores:

BLACKWATER 102 – Tungcab 19, Rosario 17, Nambatac 16, Guinto 11, Escoto 10, Hill 8, Casio 3, Chua 3, Suerte 2, Kwekuteye 2, David 0, Jopia 0

PHOENIX 83 – Perkins 22, Alejandro 14, Lalata 9, Tuffin 7, Mocon 7, Rivero 7, Camacho 6, Verano 6, Salado 3, Jazul 2, Garcia 0

Quarterscores: 18-11, 30-36, 65-69, 102-83