MANILA, Philippines -- Carlo Lastimosa registered a new career-high to power the Blackwater Elite to a 116-92 win over the Barako Bull Energy on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to stay alive in the 2015 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup.
Lastimosa shot 5-of-8 from the three-point zone on his way to a new career-high 38 points that eclipsed the 31 he scored in a loss to GlobalPort last month. This time, Lastimosa made sure they will get the much needed victory as he drew solid support from fellow second generation player Art dela Cruz and veteran Bam Gamalinda, who added 21 and 15, respectively.
Dela Cruz, whose father works as assistant coach at Barako Bull, also hauled down six boards and issued two assists off the bench.
Lastimosa, who was traded by Barako Bull prior to the start of the season, said he wasn't solely motivated by that off-season move to show up his former team.
"It's nothing personal. We needed to win and hopefully can still make it to the quarterfinals," said the nephew of Jojo Lastimosa.
Blackwater caught fellow expansion team Mahindra at 2-7 while Barako Bull dropped to 4-5.