Blackwater averts third quarter collapse, keeps Phoenix winless

Blackwater Bossing needed to fend off a third quarter rally from Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters before eking out a 97-85 victory to barge into the win column of the 2022 PBA Commissioner's Cup on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Blackwater, who opened its campaign with a 133-87 loss to Bay Area, improved to 1-1 while Phoenix dropped to 0-2.

The Bossing turned its 54-47 halftime lead to a 69-56 cushion halfway through the third period with Baser Amer leading the pack, but as they were starting to pull away, Phoenix retaliated to momentarily close the gap.

The Fuel Masters detonated for a 13-3 closing run that saw the wards of head coach Topex Robinson staring at just a 72-69 deficit heading to the fourth period.

But the Ariel Vanguardia-mentored squad was quick to find back its groove in the final frame, opening it with a 19-8 barrage led by two triples from Rashawn McCarthy as they built a 14-point lead, 91-77, with 3:39 left.

Phoenix tried to make a last-gasp comeback but Blackwater held on en route to the win.

Six Blackwater players produced double digit outputs with Amer finishing with a team-high 24 points, while import Cameron Krutwig imposed his dominance with a double-double of 17 markers and 16 rebounds for their bounce-back win.

Rey Suerte and Troy Rosario each poured in 15 points while McCarthy had 12 and Gab Banal chipped in 10.

—MGP, GMA News