Game recap (adapted from InterAKTV):
BLACKWATER ELITE over SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN, 80-77
Box scores.
The Blackwater Elite picked up its first-ever victory since debuting in the PBA this season after a huge upset of struggling Philippine Cup champion San Miguel, 80-77, on Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Marcus Douthit led the way with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 blocks, while Gilbert Bulawan stuck back a crucial follow-up with 10.6 seconds to go to help lift the team to the rare win.
Point guard Brian Heruela had 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Bryan Faundo had a double-double of 10 points and 10 boards before fouling out in the fourth.
Bulawan finished with just six points but came up with the biggest shot when, with his team up by just one in the dying seconds, he grabbed an offensive rebound off a miss from teammate Rob Celiz and put the ball into the hoop.
Blackwater had lost its first 14 games but finally broke through in game number 15 as they pounced on another listless performance from the Beermen, who have not looked like the team that won last conference’s title in their three Commissioner’s Cup games.
San Miguel became the first team to lose to one of the two expansion teams after they fell, 88-78, to Kia last week. After a loss to Barangay Ginebra in their most recent game, the Beermen earned the dubious distinction of losing to both expansion clubs. The Elite improved to 1-3 while the Beermen went 0-3 to start the current tournament.
Ronald Roberts paced SMB with 18 points and 17 rebounds, while Chris Lutz added 16 markers on 6/12 FG shooting. Reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo continued to struggle with 5 points on 2/9 FG shooting.
Line of the Game: Ronald Roberts (SMB) - 18pts, 17rebs, 2blks, 1ast, 1stl.
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| Marcus Douthit had a strong game for the Elite, who got their first franchise win at the expense of the Philippine Cup champs. |
PUREFOODS STAR HOTSHOTS over NLEX ROAD WARRIORS, 87-62
Box scores.
The GlobalPort Batang Pier dominated late and new Purefoods Star import Daniel Orton made a sparkling debut for the Hotshots as his team cruised to an 87-62 rout of the NLEX Road Warriors to remain unbeaten in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Orton had 16 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks to help lead the Hotshots to a perfect 4-0 record to start the conference.
Mark Barroca had 17 points and 9 rebounds, while Allein Maliksi added 16, both of them off the bench. Starter Joe Devance had 11 markers to help the cause.
Purefoods won three consecutive games with Marqus Blakely to start the conference. Any concerns about the team slipping without him were completely erased by Orton in this one.
Though he didn’t put up the biggest numbers in this game, he anchored the stellar Purefoods defense that was on-point all game long. It was at its best during the second quarter, though, where it gave up only six points, allowing only 1-for-20 shooting for the Road Warriors.
Orton also outproduced NLEX counterpart Al Thornton, who finished with just 11 points and 7 rebounds in the loss.
Line of the Game: Daniel Orton (PUR) - 16pts, 12rebs, 3asts, 3blks.
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| Daniel Orton had an auspicious debut for the Hotshots, who just waylaid NLEX. |
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