MANILA, Philippines — Blackwater fended off a fiery San Miguel Beer run late in the payoff period, 103-100, for an unbeaten start in PBA Governors' Cup, Wednesday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
A toothless JP Erram sank two free throws to give the Elite a 103-100 edge with 19.8 ticks to go.
Beermen import AZ Reid and Arwind Santos had a contested and an open look from deep respectively, but both cagers botched their looks.
"Naka depensa kami ng maayos. That's the gameplan. If we can stay close, we can salvage an upset. And we did salvage an upset tonight," said Blackwater head coach Bong Ramos.
"Walang (June Mar) Fajardo ha? Baka kaya kami nanalo," he added in jest.
This Governors' Cup elimination game win marks the second time the underdog Elite have scored a stunning victory the dynastic Beermen. The other one came in the all-Filipino conference. They are now also 2-0 in the ongoing tourney.
The Elite brace for NorthPort who they take on this coming Sept. 19 at the same venue.
The Beermen, also after enjoying the FIBA World Cup qualifiers break, will lock horns with a listless Columbian side on the 21st.
* * *
The Scores:
BLACKWATER 103 - Walker 35, Digregorio 21, Pinto 15, Erram 10, Zamar 8, Maliksi 6, Jose 4, Belo 2, Al-Hussani 2, Cortez 0, Sumang 0.
SAN MIGUEL BEER 100 - Reid 26, Standhardinger 20, Lassiter 13, Cabagnot 12, Nabong 12, Heruela 7, Ross 6, Santos 4.
Quarters: 27-25, 43-46, 74-82, 103-100.
Follow the author on Twitter: @sonrd.