Blackwater keeps NLEX winless in PBA bubble

The Blackwater Elite relied on another third quarter storm to block NLEX’s road to the win column in the PBA Philippine Cup elimination round, 98-88, on Saturday.

With a deadlock at 46 to start the second half, Blackwater dominated the third quarter with a 35-point rampage and limited the Road Warriors to just 16 to end with an 81-62 advantage. The Elite led by 22 near the halfway mark of the final period, 95-73, which eventually gave them their second win despite NLEX's late run.

This is Blackwater’s third game scoring at least 30 points in the third period. In the third quarter of their previous games, they went for 41 points against Northport and 39 against Ginebra.

KG Cañaleta flashed a vintage performance with 18 points and 7 rebounds, while Don Trollano chipped in another 18 for the Elite.

Mike Ayonayon listed 20 markers for NLEX while Kiefer Ravena registered 17 points and eight boards.

Blackwater now has a 2-1 record while NLEX sits at the bottom of the standings with 0-3.

Box scores:

Blackwater 98 -- Cañaleta 18, Trollano 18, Sumang 13, Daquioag 10, Golla 8, Desiderio 7, Belo 7, Tolomia 6, Salem 5, Magat 3, Gabriel 2, Escoto 1, Dennison 0.

NLEX 88 -- Ayonayon 20, Ravena 17, Soyud 13, Alas 13, Porter 9, Mcaloney 6, Quinahan 5, Galanza 5, Ighalo 0, Paniamogan 0, Semerad 0.

– RC, GMA News