Elite fan campaign with win over Road Warriors

Elite fan campaign with win over Road Warriors

Elite fan campaign with win over Road Warriors
PBA

Elite fan campaign with win over Road Warriors

Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Google Plus

THE Blackwater Elite gave their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup campaign some boost by beating the NLEX Road Warriors, 104-98, yesterday in the resumption of PBA action after the weeklong All-Star break.

With only one win to show for entering the contest, the Elite, boosted by the usual all-around numbers of import Greg Smith and steady play from Niño Canaleta and Michael Digregorio, improved to 2-6 with the win over NLEX and remain mathematically alive to advance to the quarterfinal phase of the PBA’s mid-season tournament.

Blackwater hit its strides early, with Messrs. Canaleta and Digregorio on the front end of the attack to help their team to a 28-17 lead by the end of the first period.

NLEX would come out with better footing in the second period, cutting its deficit to six points, 34-28, in the opening minutes and to five, 45-40, with less than two minutes left in the canto.

The Elite, however, held on and kept their lead, 49-42, by the halftime break.

The Road Warriors charged strong to start the second half, going on a 10-6 run in the first four minutes of the third canto to come within three of the Elite, 55-52.

Blackwater though would dig deep and go on a 31-16 sprint thereafter to create an extensive separation 18 points, 86-68, by the end of the of the third period.

Like in the previous two quarters, NLEX began the payoff period firing, cutting Blackwater’s lead to seven points, 91-84, at the 7:19 mark of the quarter.

The Elite answered with back-to-back baskets to create some breathing space but the Road Warriors kept coming back, slicing their deficit to six, 95-89, with less than five minutes to go in the match.

NLEX continued to hang on, even coming to within four, 102-98, with a little over a minute left but that was the closest it would come as it saw Blackwater hold on for the win.

Mr. Smith had 24 points, 18 rebounds and seven assists while Mr. Canaleta also had 24 points. Mr. Digregorio had 22 points.

Kevin Alas had 18 points for NLEX, which got only nine markers from import Wayne Chism.

“We had problems closing out games and today was no different. I was worried there in the end but we just hung on and kept our composure. I’m happy with the win,” said Mr. Digregorio, named player of the game, after their win.

At 2-6, Blackwater is at 10th place but still within striking distance of the top eight to advance to the next round.

NLEX (0-8), meanwhile, further dropped and is in danger of exiting early again.

The Elite return to action on May 7 against the Mahindra Floodbuster while NLEX plays on May 19 versus the San Miguel Beermen.