Push Admin

PBA: Blackwater impresses with revamped roster in win vs NorthPort

Article (news)

Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/tvpatrol/10/12/mac.jpg"/><figcaption>Mac Belo of Blackwater puts up a shot against the NorthPort Batang Pier. PBA Media Bureau.</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATED) The Blackwater Elite leaned on a huge third quarter to pull off a 96-89 upset of NorthPort Batang Pier in their first game of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup, Monday at the Angeles University Foundation (AUF) Gym in Pampanga.Roi Sumang and Don Trollano each scored 17 points, and Mac Belo added 16 as the Elite gave new head coach Nash Racela a winning start to his stint with the Elite.Given an offseason in which Blackwater came under fire for training without approval from the government, after which its front office considered quitting the league, the Elite&#x27;s campaign could not have gotten off to a better start.They overhauled an early deficit then pounced on NorthPort in the third quarter, where Blackwater scored 41 points. The Elite then showed its composure down the stretch, fending off the Batang Pier&#x27;s last-ditch rally.&quot;I did not really know what to expect doon sa game,&quot; admitted Racela after the contest. &quot;I remember, before we left the dugout, my message to the whole team, especially the coaches, was just to help me.&quot;&quot;I told them na medyo nakalimutan ko na kung paano mag-coach. The last time I did was two years ago,&quot; added Racela, who previously called the shots for TNT after a successful stint with Far Eastern University in the UAAP. &quot;I would need all the help that I could get from everyone.&quot;Blackwater started off slow, with NorthPort opening up a 9-0 lead early in the game. They were able to slowly crawl their way back, however, and they trailed by nine points at the half, 47-38.The third period was all Blackwater. The Elite unloaded 41 points after making 15 of their 24 field goals, including four three-pointers. On the other end, they held NorthPort to just 18 points on five-of-16 shooting.Sumang and Trollano each had nine points in the frame, and Belo added seven points to carry the offensive load for their team.&quot;It was very obvious in the first half that… we were being bullied by Christian (Standhardinger), Kelly (Nabong) and Sean Anthony. They were getting rebounds, offensive rebounds, and I think that was something we should not accept as a team,&quot; said Racela.Behind Anthony, the Batang Pier steadily trimmed the deficit in the fourth period. His three-pointer made it a four-point game, 88-84, with still over four minutes left.But the Elite had all the answers. Sumang nailed a floater with two and a half minutes to go to extend the lead to six, and Ron Dennison -- a player mostly known for his defense -- drilled what appeared to be the dagger three-pointer with 67 seconds to go for a 93-86 count.Paolo Taha immediately answered with a three-pointer of his own, keeping NorthPort alive. The Batang Pier then forced Blackwater into a poor shot, with Frank Golla attempting a triple that hit iron. Unfortunately for the Batang Pier, their chances at a comeback was snuffed when Sumang forced a turnover against Kevin Ferrer, and Ed Daquioag completed the steal before going all the way for a layup.Anthony finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists for NorthPort, while Standhardinger had 23 points, 10 rebounds, and six dimes of his own. Garvo Lanete had 14 points, but cooled down considerably after scoring seven of his team&#x27;s first nine points.

The Blackwater Elite leaned on a huge third quarter to pull off a 96-89 upset of NorthPort Batang Pier in their first game of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup.

The Blackwater Elite leaned on a huge third quarter to pull off a 96-89 upset of NorthPort Batang Pier in their first game of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup.

PBA: Blackwater impresses with revamped roster in win vs NorthPort

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Sports

PBA: Blackwater impresses with revamped roster in win vs NorthPort

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 12, 2020 09:27 PM PHT

|

Updated October 13, 2020 04:31 AM PHT

Read More:

PBA

PBA bubble

2020 PBA Philippine Cup

Blackwater

NorthPort

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.