Blackwater Secures 1st PBA On Tour Win

The Blackwater Bossing ended their PBA On Tour campaign on a high note, delivering a resounding 101-78 blowout victory over TNT at the Ynares Sports Arena. 

Led by the veteran guard JVee Casio, the Bossing showcased their offensive prowess and stellar team effort to secure their first win under the leadership of coach Jeff Cariaso.

The game started as a tightly contested battle, with both teams exchanging baskets early on. Casio, however, turned the tide in favor of the Bossing with his masterful performance, leading the charges and dropping 18 points on the Tropang Giga. Casio’s offensive outburst came primarily in the second half, as he connected on four three-pointers to create a substantial gap between the two teams.

But it wasn’t just Casio who shone for the Bossing; he received ample support from his teammates. Blackwater displayed excellent scoring balance, with six other players finishing in double figures. This unselfish and cohesive play is a testament to Coach Cariaso’s influence and the team’s dedication to executing his game plan to perfection.

After the game, Coach Cariaso expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “I’m happy with the way the guys came out, mentally strong. Whatever I asked, binigay naman nila (they executed it). So I’m proud of them for that.” Cariaso’s challenge to the players to end the On Tour campaign with a win paid off, and the team’s resilience and determination were on full display throughout the game.

Blackwater’s first victory of the preseason brought a sense of optimism and momentum as they head into the official PBA season. Despite being a new coach in the league, Cariaso has already made a strong impression with his coaching style and ability to motivate the players to perform at their best.

The victory against TNT not only brought them a much-needed boost in confidence but also secured them third place in the On Tour standings. With both Blackwater and Meralco Bolts finishing with a 7-4 record, the Bossing clinched third place through the winner-over-the-other rule, courtesy of their earlier win against Meralco last July 14 (89-82).

Blackwater’s dominance was evident throughout the match, as they held a commanding 27-point lead early in the fourth period. On the other hand, TNT struggled to find their rhythm and ended their On Tour campaign with a disappointing 1-10 record after suffering three consecutive losses in the preseason.

TNT’s Glenn Khobuntin emerged as the leading scorer for his team with 18 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the collective effort and firepower of the Blackwater Bossing.

As the PBA On Tour came to a close, the Bossing’s remarkable victory marked the beginning of a new chapter under Coach Jeff Cariaso’s tutelage. With a talented roster and a coach who knows how to get the best out of his players, Blackwater is gearing up to make waves in the upcoming regular PBA season.

The boxscores: 

Blackwater 101 – Casio 18, Digregorio 15, Ular 11, McCarthy 11, Rosario 11, Suerte 10, Ayonayon 10, Ilagan 7, Escoto 4, Publico 4, Banal 0.

TNT 78 – Khobuntin 14, Tungcab 13, Cruz 11, Marcelo 8, Cuntapay 8, Heruela 7, Montalbo 7, Alfaro 6, Varilla 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Reyes 0, Jopia 0.

Quarterscores: 32-21; 51-43; 80-55; 101-78.