Jvee Casio takes over as Blackwater stuns TNT

Right after RR Pogoy converted a three-pointer to force a 78-all deadlock, Casio sneaked into the paint for a backdoor layup to break the tie for good. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – Jvee Casio caught fire late in the game as Blackwater pulled off an early PBA Philippine Cup upset with an 85-78 win against TNT on Thursday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Casio turned back time by taking over in the endgame for the Bossing as he singlehandedly pulled them away from the Tropang Giga, who lost steam after tying the game.

Right after RR Pogoy converted a three-pointer to force a 78-all deadlock, Casio sneaked into the paint for a backdoor layup to break the tie for good.

Casio then shot a one-dribble pull-up and a dagger three in the ensuing plays to seal Blackwater’s win even as TNT committed a shot-clock violation that summarized its late implosion.

Casio finished with 22 points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal for the Bossing, who began their season with a win, a far cry from last year when they lost their first 21 games of the season, part of the PBA-worst 26-game skid.

Baser Amer added 11 points, three rebounds, and four assists as Blackwater is now with back-to-back wins dating back to its stunning upset against Magnolia in its season finale.

Pogoy’s 32-point blast went down the drain as the Tropang Giga fell to 1-1.