Baracael, Intal fuel Phoenix past Blackwater in OT 

 

 

Phoenix relied on an 8-2 blast at the start of extra time to earn a 124-120 win over Blackwater Elite on Wednesday. 

 

JC Intal led the locals in double figures with 19 points, while import Kevin Pinkney tallied 23. RR Garcia and Willie Wilson scored 18 and 16 points, respectively, while Mac Baracael came off the bench for 21 big points. 

 

Phoenix uncorked a 37-20 blast in the second period to take a 14-point lead at the half, 57-43.

 

The Fuel Masters continued to carry a double digit lead heading into the final turn, 88-77, before Blackwater came out with a 12-4 run to slice the lead to three after a Carlo Lastimosa basket, 92-89. 

 

Back to back hits from Lastimosa and Poy Erram knotted the game up at 104-all heading into the final 99 seconds, prompting Phoenix to call for time. JC Intal was then able to earn a trip to the line where he made both to re-establish a two-point edge. 

 

The Fuel Masters had a chance to double their advantage, but Josh Urbiztondo's quick attempt after a steal on Mike Cortez failed to fall. Lastimosa then hit back at the other end, grabbing his own miss and scoring on a follow for a tied game with 48 seconds left. 

 

Phoenix looked like it was going to finish the game with the victory after earning thee splits from the line for a three-point lead with seven seconds remaining, but Carlo Lastimosa hit a triple with one second remaining to tie the game at 109-all, sending the game into overtime. 

 

Carlo Lastimosa came off the bench for 28 points for Blackwater, while Art Dela Cruz scored 21 more. Import MJ Rhett and Poy Erram chipped in 18 each. — APG, GMA News