Blackwater earns solo second with win over GlobalPort

Mac Belo and Art Dela Cruz did enough damage in the second half to lift the Blackwater Elite past the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 99-91, on Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan.

With Belo and Dela Cruz, the Elite stretched a one-point halftime lead to 10 heading into the final frame.

A James Sena basket with 7:36 left in the fourth stretched the lead to 13, as GlobalPort struggled to trim the deficit. 

Von Pessumal connected on a triple halfway through the fourth to cut the lead to seven, 79-86, but Belo was there anew, hitting his own trey to stretch the lead to 10. 

Pessumal and Niño Canaleta then made it a game in the final minute, trimming the lead to just five, 94-89, but Roi Sumang and Belo accounted for a 5-0 swing to put the game away.

With the win, Blackwater improved to solo second at 4-2, just behind league leaders San Miguel (4-1). 

Meanwhile, Alaska, TNT, GlobalPort, Rain or Shine, and Star are all tied at 3-2.

"We wanted this victory; we want to give ourselves a chance to experience being number two," said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac after the game. "We want to prep ourselves against Mahindra on Sunday. Paghihirapan namin 'to para makuha namin (ang) gusto naming marating this conference."

Mac Belo led Blackwater with 20 points, while Nard Pinto added 15. Art Dela Cruz and Ronjay Buenafe posted 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Terrence Romeo paced Blackwater with 22 points, nine assists, and eight boards, while JR Quinahan added 12 markers with eight boards. Stanley Pringle chipped in 14, while rookie Von Pessumal was steady as a starter  with 10. Niño Canaleta and Mike Cortez led the bench with 11 and 10 points, respectively. — BAP, GMA News