Justin Chua was steady all game long for the Blackwater Bossing in their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup game against the Terrafirma Dyip.
Blackwater coach Jeff Cariaso wore the brightest smile as he approached Terrafirma coach Raymon Tongco at centercourt for the customary handshake.
The relief was understandable.
The Bossing have just quelled the Dyip’s repeated rallies for a 96-86 win in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, Jan 15.
Blackwater hiked its record to 2-7, while keeping Terrafirma luckless in 10 games.
At the center of Blackwater’s rousing win was Justin Chua.
After a scoreless outing in the 63-86 loss to Ginebra, Chua bounced back big time and delivered 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field on top of 11 rebounds and two assists.
“Just the will to win, just wanted to win. It’s been a long time. Just keeping a good attitude. Sana mahawa ang teammates [ko]. Positive energy lang talaga,” said Chua.
But as steady as Chua was, it was his teammates who put the finishing touches to the victory.
After being down by 13, the Dyip turned to veterans Stanley Pringle and Kevin Ferrer as well as import Brandon Edwards to string eight straight points that pulled them to within five, 79-84, with over five minutes left to play.
Almost two minutes later, Pringle nailed another basket from beyond the arc before Edwards split his shots from the line, 83-89.
But, like a true boss, the Bossing refused to budge.
George King drove and drew two defenders before deciding to leak the ball out to the right corner where Mike Ayonayon sank a three ball.
Ayonayon would score four more after that to push the lead back to 13, 96-83, and completely shut the door on the Dyip.
King wound up with 26 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and three steals to complement Chua.
Ayonayon had 15 markers.
“We feel like there has to be focus. And we always talk about our defense because that will generate our offense and get us to what we want to do quicker,” said Blackwater coach Jeff Cariaso after the match.
Terrafirma found Edwards one too many times on the best spot for a quick two underneath the basket, resulting to the import's 29 points.
He also had 16 rebounds to his name.
The Scores:
BLACKWATER 96 – King 26, Chua 17, Ayonayon 15, Tungcab 11, David 8, Suerte 7, Escoto 4, Casio 2, Ponferrada 2, Jopia 2, Montalbo 2, Guinto 0.
TERRAFIRMA 86 – Edwards 29, Sangalang 17, Paraiso 12, Pringle 9, Nonoy 9, Ferrer 7, Carino 2, Romeo 1, Hernandez 0, Manuel 0, Ramos 0, Catapusan 0.
Quarterscores: 34-30, 45-49, 71-67, 96-86