Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Blackwater Elite fended off the Alaska Aces, 103-100, on Sunday evening at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Rookie sensation Mac Belo registered a team-high 21 points and seven rebounds for the Elite.
Trailing by four points at the end of the first half, Blackwater stepped on the gas to turn things around in the third period.
JV Casio led an 11-0 blitz by the Aces to trim the deficit down to single possession with less than three minutes remaining in the game.
Mac Belo then buried a cold-blooded three-point shot to give the Elite a breathing room.
Roi Sumang capitalized on the playing minutes given to him by securing the victory for Blackwater with a clutch bucket and steady play.
Casio and Calvin Abueva had 23 points apiece for Alaska who fell to 4-4 in the team standings.
Sumang tallied 19 points, three steals, and two assists for the Elite who improved their win-loss record to 5-4.
Blackwater will next face Barangay Ginebra on January 20 (Friday) at the Cuneta Astrodome.
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The scores:
Blackwater (103) – Belo 21, Sumang 19, Buenafe 16, Dela Cruz 13, Aguilar 10, Sena 8, Cervantes 6, Miranda 4, Pinto 4, Ababou 2, Pascual 0, Gamalinda 0, Banal 0.
Alaska (100) – Abueva 23, Casio 23, Manuel 13, Racal 9, Mendoza 7, Hontiveros 6, Exciminiano 6, Jazul 4, Cruz 4, Thoss 2, Pascual 2, Dela Cruz 1.
Quarterscores: 22-28, 45-49, 76-71, 103-100.
