Blackwater upends Meralco for share of Govs' Cup lead

MANILA, Philippines — Blackwater turned back rejuvenated Meralco in cardiac fashion, 94-91, in the first game of the PBA skirmishes at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum Friday night. 

Henry Walker, Mac Belo, and Paul Zamar delivered when it mattered. The import and the diminutive Zamar both tallied double-digit performances to help the Elite claw back from a 10-point deficit early in the payoff period.

"Ang galing ng players ko. Come from behind na naman eh, anong saasabihin ko, ang galing ko?” head coach Bong Ramos said. “All of them ay [deserving of] Best Player tonight.”

Blackwater joins Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia atop the third conference's standings with a 5-1 win-loss card.   

The Bolts, despite conjuring a sort of cohesion at the FIBA Asia Champions Cup in Thailand, absorbed their fourth loss in five outings.

Blackwater takes on winless Rain or Shine on Sunday in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, while Meralco goes against conference leader Barangay Ginebra in the nightcap.

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The Scores 

Blackwater 94 - Walker 24, Belo 14, Zamar 13, Sumang 12, Maliksi 10, Jose 8, Sena 5, Pinto 4, Digregorio 2, Al-Hussaini 2, Javier 0. 

Meralco 91 - Durham 32, Amer 14, Bono 10, Newsome 8, Caram 7, Lanete 5, Hodge 4, Salva 4, Tolomia 3, Jamito 2, Hugnatan 2, Atkins 0, Canaleta 0.  

Quarters: 18-14, 40-37, 61-62, 94-91.