Blackwater spoils SMB’s conference debut in huge upset win

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Blackwater Bossing squad showed they had enough gas until the end game and pulled off a stunning upset win over the Philippine Cup champions San Miguel Beermen, 109-106, during the ongoing 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Coming from a disappointing 105-102 loss against the NLEX Road Warriors after going up by double-digits, the coach Ariel Vanguardia-led team stuck to their game plan and banked on a balanced attack to keep up with San Miguel’s blazing offense.

The backcourt duo of Baser Amer and Mike Ayonayon did wonders for Blackwater after hitting the biggest shots their team badly needed in the crucial stretch of the fourth quarter.

Down by just two points with 42 seconds remaining in the game, 104-106, Amer caught the bouncing leather off a scramble and drilled a three-pointer from the right corner that gave them back the lead, 107-106.

During the very next possession, the patient Blackwater defense halted San Miguel’s chance of scoring after Ayonayon read CJ Perez’s pass and stole the ball for an easy breakaway layup.

The Beermen had 20 seconds left to force overtime but Blackwater executed their two best defensive stops of the game after contesting Marcio Lassiter and import Diamond Stone’s back-to-back attempts from the three-point line.

“Sabi ko nga sa huddle, this is the best time to beat San Miguel kasi they’re still struggling. Bago pa ‘yung import,” said Blackwater’s coach Vanguardia.

Amer finished the hard-earned win with 16 huge points, three rebounds, and three assists while the sweet-shooting Ayonayon contributed 10 points and three rebounds.

The Bossing improved to 2-2 after the huge win over San Miguel and are currently sitting in the fifth spot in the standings tied with NorthPort Batang Pier and the Rain or Shine Elastopainters.

Meanwhile, it was a disappointing meltdown for the Beermen after leading by as much as 15 points in the second half.

After an offensive surge in the first two quarters, San Miguel suddenly slowed down in the second half and lost the crucial fourth quarter battle, 32-17.

Reigning PBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) June Mar Fajardo led San Miguel in a losing effort with 23 points and 16 rebounds while Stone chipped in 20 points and eight rebounds.

San Miguel originally had ex-NBA power forward Thomas Robinson as their official import for this year’s Commissioner’s Cup but a late injury forced the Beermen to a last-minute switch to Stone.

The Beermen will have the chance to bounce back and clinch their first win of the Commissioner’s Cup when they take on Rain or Shine in their next game on October 9.