Blackwater pips RnW Pacific Pipes to book quarters seat
Blackwater finally broke out of a long losing spell defeating RnW Pacific Pipes, 65-48, Tuesday to barge into the quarterfinals of the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
It was Blackwater’s first win on the court since November 8 when it defeated Café France for a 3-0 start to the conference. Their recent victory was through technicality after Cobra fielded an ineligible player in its 72-66 decision last January 9.
This win against the Steelmasters came at the right time as Blackwater clinched a spot in the quarterfinals where they will face Big Chill on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. The Superchargers hold a twice-to-beat advantage in that affair.
Blackwater appeared to be the hungrier team poised to make it to the next round with a 5-5 win-loss card.
“It has to be in this kind of situation para magising ang team,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac. “We are glad that we finally broke into the winning column. Hopefully, against Big Chill, we’ll play the same brand of basketball.”
Isaac admitted that a long layoff prior to the Christmas break and scheduling problems with their collegiate players had a big impact on their campaign.
“The collegiate players have to go to their classes in order for them to be eligible for their school teams. Kung susumahin mo ‘yung schedule ng mga players, malilibre lang ang lahat sa practice after 10 p.m.,” said Isaac.
Tata Bautista had 13 points, Jeric Fortuna had 11 and Ice Ciriacruz chipped in 11 as they accounted for all six of Blackwater’s six triples in the game.
Blackwater was holding a four-point advantage at the half, 25-21, but Ciriacruz scored nine points in the third quarter to help the Elite take a 51-32 lead entering the fourth canto.
RnW Pacific Pipes was mounting a mini comeback in the fourth but that ended when head coach Topex Robinson was ejected on two straight technical fouls for continuous complaining with 2:27 left in the game.
Michael Miranda was also ejected for RnW Pacific Pipes for physical play early on in the fourth.
Scores:
BLACKWATER 65—Bautista 13, Fortuna 11, I. Ciriacruz 11, Bringas 9, Pascual 8, G.Ciriacruz 5, Afuang 4, Camus 3, Manalo 1, Acidre 0.
RNW PACIFIC PIPES 48—Racal 8, Zulueta 8, Miranda 6, Ilagan 6, Delgado 6, Buensuceso 5, Dela Cruz 2, Del Rio 2, Sanvictores 2, Maiquez 2, Semira 1, Knuttel 0, Antonio 0.
Quarters: 9-13, 25-21, 51-32, 65-48.
Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/d-league-blackwater-pips-rnw-pacific-pipes-to-book-quarters-seat
