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PBA: Blackwater shocks Meralco, forces do-or-die for semis slot

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/09/26/pba-2017-092617.jpg"/><figcaption>Elite forces do-or-die vs Bolts for semis slot. Photo by Josh Albelda, <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2017/09/26/maliksi-carries-blackwater-shocking-upset-meralco-31451">ABS-CBN Sports</a></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA -- A gritty Blackwater pulled off the unthinkable by completing a 92-91 upset against top seeded Meralco in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.The Elite kept it close all game with Allein Maliksi’s 15-foot jumper for Blackwater in the final 9 seconds proving to be the difference in the match.Henry Walker topscored the Elite with 30 points to go with his 18 rebounds and 6 assists. But Walker pointed out that the win wouldn’t have been possible if not for the exploits of his teammates, especially during the final minute of the game.The Elite was down by a thread, 88-89, when Roi Sumang scored a steal off Allen Durham, fed an assist to Maliksi who sank a jumper for Blackwater’s 90-89 advantage with 33 ticks remaining.Durham retaliated with a difficult shot on the other end, but coach Leo Isaac drew a play that allowed Maliksi to escape from Meralco’s defense and drill the 15-footer game winner for the Elite.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2017/09/26/durham-track-back-back-best-import-awards-31449">READ: Durham on track for back-to-back Best Import awards</a></li></ul>“Maliksi has been a huge plus for us,” said Walker. “Him and Mike (DiGrigorio) allowed me to go to work. Roi stepping in as his own man, big steal at the end, he&#x27;s smart, made another play.”Meralco, led by Durham’s 18 points, had a twice-to-beat advantage going into the game. This means, Blackwater will have to beat them one more time to claim a spot in the semifinals.“All is not finished here. We still have another game to win on Thursday and for sure Meralco will be preparing for that game. Hopefully, we will have enough firepower or energy going to that next game against Meralco,” said Isaac.The deciding game will take place also at the Mall of Asia Arena.(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.)

(UPDATED) A gritty Blackwater pulled off the unthinkable by completing a 92-91 upset against top seeded Meralco in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

(UPDATED) A gritty Blackwater pulled off the unthinkable by completing a 92-91 upset against top seeded Meralco in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.