Blackwater Bossing Narrowly Escapes Phoenix Fuel Masters In Thrilling Finish

In a nail-biting encounter at the PBA On Tour, the Blackwater Bossing managed to hold off a late surge from the Phoenix Fuel Masters to secure a 92-90 victory at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City Sunday, June 25.

The Bossing, determined to bounce back from their heartbreaking one-point loss to Ginebra in their previous game, seemed to be in control as they established a commanding 92-81 lead. However, a sudden dry spell allowed Phoenix to mount a fierce comeback in the final minutes.

With the lead dangerously trimmed down to just two points, Blackwater caught a break when Sean Manganti’s alley-oop pass intended for Simon Camacho went awry, denying Phoenix a potential game-tying basket. Rashawn McCarthy seized the opportunity, recovering the loose ball and securing a crucial offensive rebound off Ato Ular’s missed shot to seal the victory for the injury-plagued Blackwater squad.

Troy Rosario played a stellar role for the Bossing, delivering an impressive performance with 24 points on a remarkable 71.4% shooting (10-of-14) along with eight rebounds. His scoring prowess and efficiency guided Blackwater back to the winning column, providing a much-needed boost before coach Jeff Cariaso returns from the US and reunites with the team.

“We had to trust one another until the end. We weren’t able to get the win in our last game, so we really pushed ourselves to secure this victory before coach Jeff’s arrival on Wednesday,” expressed Rosario.

McCarthy, Mike Ayonayon, and JVee Casio also contributed significantly, each tallying 13 points for Blackwater. Ayonayon’s clutch plays in the fourth quarter, including crucial three-pointers, helped the team establish a comfortable lead of 87-75.

For Phoenix, Manganti led the charge with 18 points, while Reden Celda and Tyler Tio contributed 15 points apiece. Despite their valiant efforts, the Fuel Masters fell short in their attempt to secure back-to-back wins, slipping to a 3-4 record in the preseason series.

The game wasn’t without tension as Rosario pushed Manganti from behind during a loose ball situation, prompting a heated exchange between the two players. However, cooler heads prevailed, and they ultimately shook hands, diffusing the tension.

Blackwater’s victory showcased their resilience and ability to hold their nerve in the face of a late comeback attempt. Acting coach Joe Silva acknowledged the need to cultivate a winning attitude and a killer instinct, emphasizing the importance of maintaining composure in pressure situations.

With this hard-fought win, Blackwater aims to build on its momentum and continue its pursuit of success in the exhibition series. Meanwhile, Phoenix seeks to regroup and bounce back from the loss as they strive for consistency and improvement under the temporary absence of coach Jamike Jarin, who is currently in the United States.

BLACKWATER 92 – Rosario 24, McCarthy 13, Ayonayon 13, Casio 13, Suerte 9, DiGregorio 7, Escoto 4, Ular 4, Banal 2, Amer 0, Ilagan 0, Publico 0.
PHOENIX 90 – Manganti 18, Celda 15, Tio 15, Lalata 14, Mocon 8, Fetalvero 7, Camacho 7, Rangel 2, Muyang 2, Atienza 0.
QUARTERS: 26-26, 46-43, 71-69, 92-90.