Here are the live scores, updates, and results of the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup between the Alaska Aces and the Blackwater Bossing, scheduled on July 16, 2021, at 12:30 PM.
The Blackwater Bossing and the Alaska Aces will kick off the Philippine Basketball Association’s 46th Season.
Blackwater will be hoping to rebound from a poor showing in the 2020 Philippine Cup, which saw them crash out on the playoffs. The Bossing will rely on the backcourt of Simon Enciso and Baser Amer to guide them in this new season after trading away top talents Mac Belo and Don Trollano.
Alaska, on the other hand, will be looking for more from Cebuano big man Kevin Barkley Eboña, especially after trading away their main man, Vic Manuel, during the offseason.
The last time these two teams met, the Aces crushed the Elite (now Bossing), 120-82, as the then-rookie Barkley Eboña breaks out for a career-high of 24 points. In 24 minutes of play, Eboña almost had a perfect game from the field as he finished on a very efficient 10-of-11 shooting. Alaska’s performance was a team effort, as six Aces scored in double figures.
The offense was the main reason for the Bossing’s poor performance last season. Despite the leadership of Mac Belo and Don Trollano, the team as a whole struggled to execute. Blackwater’s offensive troubles, as well as their inconsistent defense, contributed to their early exit from the “bubble,” with only two wins en route to a 10th-place finish, due to fellow cellar dwellers Terrafirma and NorthPort.
The All-Filipino Cup will proceed to the quarterfinals in its customary format, with the top eight teams advancing. Against the eighth and seventh seeds, the top two seeds will have a twice-to-beat advantage. Meanwhile, in a best-of-three series, No. 3 will face No. 6, and No. 4 will face No. 5. Best-of-seven matches will be played in the semifinals and finals.