Blackwater opens Commissioner Cup with OT win over Meralco

“Final (OT) : 94 – 91 in favor of the Blackwater Elite! Best Player: Alex Stepheson with 21 points, 31 rebounds and 2 assists #PBACommsCup #PBALabanKungLaban” (Photo: PBA/Facebook)

The score finished at 94-91, with the Elite’s new recruit three-time ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Ray Parks debuting with a bang at 20 points, eight rebounds, and three steals. Alex Stepheson had a memorable performance of 21 points and 31 rebounds against his former team, while Mike DiGregorio totalled 21 points (five of nine from the three-point line), which included two crucial free throws at the final 17.7 seconds of the overtime period. Allein Maliksi also had a double digit performance at 12 points. And, even though he only totalled six, Mac Belo became a hero of the game as well when he broke a 91-91 deadlock during the last 32.4 seconds of the game.

For Meralco, it was import Gani Lawal who fought hard with 34 points, while Mike Tolomia added 11. Rookie Trevis Jackson was the third-highest pointer at eight points but soon apologized to his team after the final buzzer for missing a crucial final play.

As interim coach of Blackwater, Aris Dimaunahan told the press after the game that he is “just happy that the players stuck together even though Meralco was leading (at one point).” He explained, “[They are] a very very strong team with a very very good coach. I have to give it to the [Blackwater] players for sticking to the game plan. Even though we were down, they stuck together and executed our offense.”

He added, “Hopefully we build on this win, and I’m happy for the management for getting this win. I have to give the credit to the players who worked hard during the offseason, getting ready for this first win. Hopefully, it won’t be the last.”

The next team Blackwater is facing are the Ginebra Kings on May 24 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, while Meralco plans to redeem themselves on the same day against Columbian Dyip.