Douthit leads Blackwater to breakthrough win in PBA

MANILA, Philippines -- Blackwater finally ended its hunt for the elusive first win in pro play at the expense of Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beer Wednesday night, shaking off a sluggish start and playing tough at the finish for an 80-77 victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Marcus Douthit provided a solid inside presence, coming through with 20 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks while Gilbert Bulawan knocked in a crucial follow-up shot with 10.6 seconds to go as Blackwater, a multi-titled team in the amateurs, tasted a first win in the PBA after 14 straight losses.         

“It’s a moment one will really cherish,” said Blackwater coach Leo Isaac.

“It came a bit late as we’d like to taste it a lot earlier. Still, we’re very thankful. We’d like to thank the continued support of our boss Dioceldo Sy,” Isaac also said.

The Elite scored the breakthrough after 11 losses in the Philippine Cup and after dropping their first three assignments in the mid-season conference, thus, avoiding a worst slump in the league at least in the last seven years.

The all-time longest losing streak in the league belongs to Presto-Great Taste (18 games in 1980). The longest after that was a streak of 15 straight losses suffered by Welcoat in a span bridging the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

The Elite finally broke into the win-column while keeping the Beermen winless since their title run in the all-Filipino tourney.

“We pondered the thought that San Miguel could still be reeling from their championship hangover. We thought we’re in good spot to end our losing streak and extend theirs,” said Isaac after handing the Beermen a third straight loss in the Commissioner’s Cup.

San Miguel, with import Ronald Roberts, is off to a struggling start in the tourney as the Beermen dropped their first game in a 78-88 upset by the Kia Carnival then bowed to the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 82-95.

The Beermen had their chances to force overtime against the Elite, but Alex Cabagnot and Marcio Lassiter missed three attempts from beyond the arc in the last 10 seconds.

Blackwater took the 80-77 lead after Bulawan, in the right place at the right time, followed up a missed jumper from the right flank by Robby Celiz.

Earlier, Douthit, Bryan Faundo, Brian Heruela and Alex Nuyles provided the scoring sock as the Elite erased a 10-point deficit and seized control, 60-52, going into the final canto.

Roberts, Arwind Santos and Chris Lutz starred as the Beermen made their own fightback early in the fourth quarter, regaining the upperhand at 61-60.

The two teams engaged in a nip-and-tuck battle from there with Douthit, Bulawan, Heruela and Bam Gamalinda carrying the fight for Blackwater.

The Elite had looked to have put the game away at 78-72 when Cabagnot nailed two charities then Ronald Tubid, on a double crossover move, buried a three-pointer off Celiz, making it 77-78 with 38 seconds to go.

But the Elite would hang on and pull through in their third game with Douthit in tow.

“We lost our first game in the conference playing without an import. We lost the second with Douthit just 50-percent ready,” said Isaac.

With Douthit getting back into shape and with the team improving their chemistry, Isaac was hopeful they would be more competitive in their next games.

“This victory and the condition of Marcus could inspire us. This could be a good sign for us. This could turn the team to brighter side,” said Isaac.