By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
THE Blackwater Elite are back in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) playoffs for the first time after a four-conference absence and they are making the most it, forcing a sudden death with the Meralco Bolts in their quarterfinal pairing after overcoming their first hurdle, 92-91, yesterday.
Facing a twice-to-win handicap against top seed Meralco in the quarterfinals, eighth-seeded Blackwater fashioned out a surprise with a gutsy win that extended its season and sent its affair with the Bolts to a do-or-die on Thursday.
Import Henry Walker erupted in the fourth quarter while Roi Sumang and Allein Maliksi finished things to tow their team to the victory that saw the two teams grind it out till the end.
The two teams fought tight early in the contest before the Elite made a late charge to end the first quarter ahead, 24-17.
In the second quarter, Blackwater continued to hold sway, going on a 5-2 run to extend their lead to 10 points, 29-19 with 8:39 to go in the frame.
The Bolts, however, would make a 10-0 run in the next three minutes to level the count at 29-all.
The teams went back and forth after and when the smoke cleared the Elite remained on top, 42-40, by the halftime break.
Meralco continued to keep in step with Blackwater in the third frame.
Its resilience would pay off as it overtook the Elite, 58-57, with under two minutes to play.
But Blackwater would reclaim the advantage by the end of the quarter, 63-62.
The Elite, behind import Henry Walker, kept their head above water, even racing to a 76-70 lead with seven minutes left to play.
Mike Tolomia and Jared Dillinger though would rally the Bolts back and help their team to a 79-78 lead with 5:50 to go.
Meralco stayed in control after that, building a three-point cushion, 86-83, at the two-minute mark.
Blackwater managed to tie the game, 86-all, after two free throws from Michael DiGregorio with 1:27 remaining.
Baser Amer then answered for Meralco with a three-pointer to extend their lead, 89-86.
A flagrant foul 1 by Mr. Dillinger on Roi Sumang earned for Blackwater two free throws, which they converted, and ball possession.
In the succeeding play, Mr. Sumang once again starred as he stole the ball off Meralco import Allen Durham that led to a Maliksi basket that gave the lead back to Blackwater, 90-89, with 34 seconds on the clock.
The Bolts got back on top once again, 91-90, when Mr. Durham converted a bucket underneath the basket off a scramble from his own missed free throw with 15 ticks remaining.
Mr. Maliksi gave the lead anew to the Elite, 92-91, after scoring off a jumper from the top of the key with nine seconds left.
Meralco had one last chance to claim the victory but could not execute its play in the end to hand the victory to Blackwater.
Mr. Walker finished with 30 points, 16 coming in the pivotal fourth quarter, to go along with 18 rebounds and six assists.
Mr. DiGregorio had 20 points while Mr. Maliksi posted 15 markers.
Meralco, for its part, was led by Chris Newsome with 19 points followed by Mr. Durham and Cliff Hodge with 18 points each.
“I commend the team for standing toe-to-toe with a tough Meralco team. Henry Walker showed tremendous confidence on his teammates in the end and Maliksi made the basket for the win,” said winning coach Leo Isaac when asked postgame for his thoughts on their victory.
“But all is not finished here. We still have one more game to win to advance. I’m sure Meralco will be preparing for the game on Thursday and we have to be ready,” he added.
Meanwhile, quarterfinal games today will see Rain or Shine Elasto Painters battle the TNT KaTropa at 4:15 p.m. and the San Miguel Beermen take on the defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.
TNT and Barangay Ginebra hold twice-to-beat advantages.