MANILA — Blackwater Bossing mounted a stunning fourth-quarter comeback from a 15-point deficit to snap its three-game losing streak, outlasting Phoenix Fuel Masters, 106-100, in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Bossing turned the game around with a decisive 11-0 run after trailing 93-92 in the final period, improving to a 3-3 record while handing Phoenix only its second defeat of the conference.
RK Ilagan sparked the game-changing rally with a three-pointer before Sedrick Barefield converted two free throws. Ilagan followed with a layup, while Troy Mallillin finished the burst with four straight points to stretch Blackwater’s lead to 103-93 and put the contest out of reach.
The game featured dramatic momentum swings, with Blackwater holding a 10-point advantage in the first half before Phoenix exploded in the third quarter to build a 15-point cushion.
Import Kentrell Barkley powered the Bossing with 34 points and 16 rebounds, while Barefield contributed 26 points. Ilagan chipped in 15 points, including crucial baskets in the decisive run.
Phoenix import Robert Johnson III erupted for a game-high 45 points in a losing effort. Ricci Rivero added 15 points, while Kai Ballungay scored 12 as the Fuel Masters slipped to 4-2.
Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer used a dominant third-quarter performance to pull away from Converge FiberXers, 126-114, for its fifth victory in seven games in Group A.
Clinging to a slim 65-64 halftime lead, the Beermen erupted for a 37-21 third-quarter advantage behind timely three-pointers from Celedonio Trollano and Marcio Lassiter and a scoring barrage from import George King.
San Miguel stretched its lead to as many as 21 points, 108-87, on a basket by Jericho Cruz before weathering Converge’s late rally.
King delivered another outstanding all-around performance with 46 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists to anchor the Beermen’s victory.
Calvin Abueva posted a double-double of 26 points and 14 rebounds for the FiberXers, who absorbed their fourth straight loss and dropped to a 3-4 record./PN
