Gritty Elite mows down taller Thais

MANILA, Philippines - Blackwater Sports turned to former UE star Paul Zamar and Allan Mangahas in the second half to stun defending champion Bangkok, 85-69, and notch its second straight win in the Enjoy Jakarta Anniversary basketball tournament in Jakarta last Wednesday.

With Mangahas hitting it outside and Zamar scoring on drives, the Elite of Dioceldo Sy wiped out a 47-37 halftime deficit to take control of the match against the taller Thai squad.

Applying a 2-3 zone defense, the Elite held the Thais to just 12 points in the third quarter while exploding for 33 points to post a 70-59 lead which they kept to stay unbeaten in the six-team tournament.

“I told the boys that we’re much better than the Thais but we have to play as a team. Thankfully, they responded to my challenge,” said coach Leo Isaac. 

Mangahas topscored for Blackwater with 23 points while the hard-working Zamar finished with 22 points. Kenneth Acibar, another product of UE, knocked down 15 points.

Robby Celiz, who sparked Blackwater to a 76-43 win over Jakarta College in the opener last Tuesday, was held to just 15 markers this time. He was fielded sparingly after getting into foul trouble early. 

Team officials, led by Silliman Sy and Johnson Martines, were satisfied with the team’s performance but remained wary of the Jakarta PON side today.