Blackwater nails 2nd win

MANILA, Philippines — Blackwater unleashed its now characteristic third-quarter charge to fuel a runaway 98-88 triumph over slumping NLEX and get back on track in the PBA Philippine Cup yesterday in Pampanga.

Like in their first two games, the Elite came out of the halftime break swinging, outscoring the Road Warriors, 35-16, behind a hot 63.6 percent shooting (14-of-22), to set the tone for the bounceback rout at the Smart 5G-powered AUF Sports Arena.

The Nash Racela-coached squad has made it a habit to go very strong in the penultimate period. The Elite dropped 41 and 39 against initial bubble opponents NorthPort and Barangay Ginebra, respectively. It was a victorious effort against the Batang Pier, 96-89, but a losing cause against the Gin Kings, 99-103.

Blackwater moved a game behind pacesetter TNT Tropang Giga (3-0) while sending the Road Warriors down the cellar at 0-3.

“If it will happen again. I’ll take that,” said Racela of the game-changing 12 minutes where the Elite broke free from a 46-46 standoff and zoomed to a 19-point tear.

KG Canaleta and Don Trollano fired 18 apiece to lead the scoring for Blackwater.

Later in the night, Alaska finally broke through in the bubble at the expense of Magnolia, 87-81. JVee Casio and Mike Digregorio delivered the endgame heroics as the Aces caught up with the Hotshots and idle San Miguel at 1-2.