Elite fuel quarterfinal bid, rout Picanto

MANILA, Philippines — Blackwater rebounded from a blowout loss with a 118-97 rout of a listless Kia side as the Elite enhanced their quarterfinal drive in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Arena in Antipolo last night.

Import Henry Walker and JP Erram put in a pair of double-double efforts while three others churned out double-digit scores as the Elite unloaded a big 40-point output and took a 19-point bulge in the first 12 minutes en route to thumping the Picanto and improving their record to 4-4. 

Walker sustained his hot form and fired 25 points, including four triples, and pulled down 11 rebounds with seven assists to boot while Erram backed him up with 16 points and 14 boards with four shot blocks as the Elite held on to eighth spot in the quarters race.

“Walker continued to inspire us with a really strong effort as well as Erram,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac.

Walker has indeed revived Blackwater’s campaign in the league’s season-ending conference as the Elite are now 4-1 since the former Alaska import’s arrival.

They also hope to improve with the entry of former Ginebra Kings Chris Ellis and Dave Marcelo.

Walker and the Elite’s only loss came at the hands of the TNT KaTropa via a 96-117 beating at the MOA Arena last Wednesday.

“We lacked energy in the TNT game so I wrote the word energy on the white board and the team showed a lot of energy in this game,” said Isaac.

It was a dominating effort for Blackwater, which led by as many as 49 points, 86-37, with 8.34 minutes left in the third quarter.

In the nightcap, GlobalPort Batang Pier turned back TNT KaTropa, 119-112, to improve to 3-3.

The KaTropa slid to 4-3.

The scores:

First Game

Blackwater 118 – Walker 25, DiGregorio 16, Erram 16, Canaleta 13, Banal 12, Sumang 9, Pinto 8, Gamalinda 7, Belo 6, Pascual 4, Sena 2, Cruz 0, Miranda 0. 

KIA 97 – Johnson 28, Paniamogan 17, Yee 14, Corpuz 11, Khobuntin 8, Elorde 5, Celda 4, Salva 4, Deutchman 3, Revilla 2, Camson 1, Caperal 0, Jaime 0, Nimes 0, Ballesteros 0.

Quarterscores: 40-21, 70-31, 96-62, 118-97

Second Game

GLOBALPORT 119 – Pringle 30, Holloway 24, Anthony 21, Romeo 13, Cortez 11, Guinto 9, Baracael 7, Mamaril 4, Hubalde 0, Araña 0, Celiz 0.

TNT 112 – Rice 39, Pogoy 26, Castro 15, De Ocampo 12, Williams 7, Rosario 5, Reyes 4, Semerad 3, Tautuaa 1, Lingganay 0.

Quarterscores: 18-25, 57-48, 86-76,119-112