PBA: Blackwater holds off Magnolia for 2-0 start in Governors' Cup

Blackwater held off Magnolia, 89-81, to notch its second straight win in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

The Bossing held a 65-62 lead at the end of the third quarter before the Hotshots rallied to take an 81-79 advantage with less than four minutes remaining.

However, Blackwater import Kentrell Barkley tied the game and sparked a decisive 10-0 run that sealed the victory for the Bossing.

“Just happy that our players stepped up, like RK [Ilagan] again. I know some players have a slow output but at the end, they did not give up. They still played hard,” Blackwater head coach Pat Aquino said, while also crediting Magnolia for putting up a tough fight.

“Sana lagi kaming todo, lagi kaming playing with pride and honor.”

Barkley finished with 26 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks, and one assist, while Ilagan once again provided solid support with 20 points. Dalph Panopio and Sedrick Barefield added 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Magnolia import Kenyon Joseph Buffen, meanwhile, posted 32 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Jerom Lastimosa and Ian Sangalang chipped in 10 points apiece as the Hotshots remained winless through two games.

Scores:

Blackwater 89 – Barkley 26, Ilagan 20, Panopio 12, Barefield 10, Austria 5, Tratter 4, Demusis 4, Una 4, Murrell 2, David 2, Dumont 0.

Magnolia 81 – Buffen 32, Lastimosa 11, Sangalang 10, Lucero 8, Barroca 6, Jopia 6, Koon 2, Gomez de Liano 2, Dela Rosa 2, Alfaro 2, Lee 0, Andrada 0.

Quarters: 19-20, 44-38, 65-62, 89-81.

—JKC, GMA News