RUINING their three-game winning streak, the Tiger-reinforced Blackwater Elite humbled in at the threads of Freego Jeans, 68-72, in their Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League Aspirants Cup skirmish at the Arellano University gym last November 10.
Growling Tigers Jeric Fortuna put on a dismal performance putting up only two points, a far-cry from his last game against Cafe France wherein he poured in 18 points, and committing six turnovers.
“Off-day talaga ako kanina, di ko naman puwedeng pilitin” Fortuna said. “Mabuti nang isama na yung buong team.”
Freego would dwell in the middle of the Elite’s passing lanes en route to 10 turnover points off the Elite’s 23 giveaways.
Blackwater would stage a late surge in the final minutes of the fourth period, going on a 13-7 spurt to tie the game at 65 apiece, only to suffer questionable calls from the officials including an out of bounds call that broke the deadlock and an open ticket for Freego to seal the deal.
“Frustrating talaga yung officiating,” said Fortuna who got a holding foul call after Lester Alvarez of Freego fumbled the ball in the dying seconds of the fourth.
The Elite was against the ropes early in the game, courtesy of an 11-3 run by Freego to open up an 11-18 deficit for Blackwater midway through the first period.
The second period would be a different story as Blackwater would post a 15-5 run to end the period capped by a corner three from Mark Doligon.
Blackwater got outmuscled in the shaded area grabbing only five offensive rebounds compared to Freego’s 21, which lead to a 4-10 disadvantage in second-chance points.
Sidelined Growling Tiger Clark Bautista said that the team got the referees’ calls into their games which swerved them off their track.
Bautista and Mark Bringas carried the scoring load for the Elite with 13 points apiece while Neil Pascual put on a near double-double performance with nine points and 15 boards.
Third time’s the charm
Blackwater took the solo lead in the Aspirants Cup posting a 3-0 slate at the expense of the Café France Bakers, 92-86, at the Lyceum of the Philippines University gym last November 18.
“We follow the team system,” Blackwater coach Leo Isaac said. “Kung may player na gusting magpasikat, follow the system pa rin.”
Blackwater mounted an 18-5 blitzkriegh midway through the third to lead Café France, 71-57, capped by back-to-back threes from Bautista and Isaiah Ciriacruz.
Fortuna sizzled with 18 points while Ciriacruz and Bringas added 17 apiece and Bautista capping the double-digit scoring with 16.
