Blackwater Sports rules Jakarta cagefest

MANILA, Philippines - Former NCAA star Allan Mangahas dished out another superb game as Blackwater Sports hacked out an 86-79 win over Seoul Selection to complete its sweep of the 2012 Enjoy Jakarta Anniversary basketball tournament crown in Jakarta, Indonesia last Sunday.

Mangahas, who keyed the team’s victory over the Jakarta Selection last Saturday, ran rings around his taller guards to lead Blackwater Sports with 26 points, spiked by his triples in the second quarter. He also scored 26 points in the team’s 74-68 win over the Indonesians.

The former Mapua hotshot also made four assists in a no-relief job to likewise bag the MVP plum in the six-team, six-day tournament. 

“We played a very disciplined game. If you play against a team with a good outside shooting, you have to be patient and disciplined,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac. “Good thing, the boys were very patient and disciplined today.”

Team owner Dioceldo Sy, who was in the US for a family vacation, immediately sent congratulatory text messages to co-team managers Silliman Sy and Johnson Martines for a job well done.

“Dioceldo is very proud and happy for the boys,” said Sy.

The Elite struck hardest in the second quarter as Robby Celiz and Neil Pascual joined the fray to outscore the Koreans, 23-15, for a 42-27 halftime lead. They held their rivals at bay in the second half through the inspired plays of Mangahas.

Celiz, who was hardly a factor in the team’s last two wins, stepped up this time and finished with 20 points while Pascual completed a double-double show with 16 points and 11 boards. Kenneth Acibar and Paul Zamar combined for 18 markers to underscore the team’s well-balanced attack.