The Blackwater Elite shown to the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang that in this conference they’re the real deal as they took the match, 104-99.
It was a tug-of-war kind of game for both squads as early as the first quarter until the final buzzer of the fourth quarter.
Bobby Ray Parks Jr., last attempt for a game-winner in the fourth quarter got swamped by the Hotshots defense and he missed. That resulted to another five more minutes as the game extended to overtime.
Still, in the extra quarter both squads continue to have their hot shooting.
Elite’s Allein Maliksi opened that period with a three-pointer then Hotshots’ Mark Barroca answered back with his own version of three-pointer.
Then Roi Sumang, Ray Ray Parks joined the scoring barrage started by Maliksi and their lead got stretched to seven points enough to close the door of opportunities from Magnolia.
There were several heroes from Blackwater but Roi Sumang was the brightest in tonight’s contest.
Also known as “Super Sumang”, he delivered 19 points, three rebounds and six assists for his squad. He was later named as the Best Player of the Game.
Newly installed Blackwater import, Staphon Blair also had an impressive PBA debut where he registered 14 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks.
The Elite has secured a playoffs berth after they snapped their two-game losing slump. For the Hotshots, the five-game winning streak is over and now has a 5-3 slate.
Magnolia’s Paul Lee reached a new milestone as he is now the newest member of the 5,000 points club.
Lee led all Hotshots local with his 25 points along with six rebounds and eight assists.
Roi Sumang Side-Step Three Pointer
Blackwater vs Magnolia Box Score
Quarters: 23-23 | 39-43 | 61-61 | 84-84 | 104-99
Elite (104) – Sumang 19, Digregorio 15, Maliksi 14, Blair 14, Parks 11, Belo 9, Al-Hussaini 9, Alolino 5, Cortez 4, Sena 4
Hotshots (99) – Lee 25, Farr 23, Jalalon 14, Barroca 13, Brondial 6, Sangalang 4, Dela Rosa 4, Melton 3, Pingris 3, Herndon 2, Pascual 2