The Blackwater Bossing debuted in style as they dropped the reigning Philippine Cup champions TNT Tropang Giga, 85-78, in PBA Season 47 on Thursday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
JVee Casio turned back the clock and delivered one clutch shot after another to turn back the Tropang Giga and spoil RR Pogoy’s incredible 32-point night. The La Salle product finished with 22 points, going 5-for-11 from behind the three-point arc.
Tied at 78-all, Casio scored Blackwater’s last seven points to help the Bossing nab the win. The team has now won two games in a row after snapping their infamous 29-game losing streak during their final match of the Governors’ Cup last season.
Blackwater coach Ariel Vanguardia said they will relish this victory but will continue to work with a long season ahead of them.
“We stuck with what it is working. It’s not every day you beat a champion team. If we play them 10 times, maybe we beat them once. Alam namin na we have a chance if we play together and play as a team,” said Vanguardia.
Baser Amer also scored 11 points, while rookie Ato Ular, James Sena, and Yousef Taha chipped in 10 points apiece with the latter also hauling down 12 boards for the Bossing.
Blackwater nearly squandered a 13-point lead, 64-51, as Pogoy came alive late, leading the team back and tying the game at 78-all. But Casio was up to the challenge, scoring back-to-back buckets and a triple with 41 seconds to go to put the game out of TNT’s reach.
Blackwater Bossing opens PBA Philippine Cup campaign with stunning upset of TNT Tropang Giga
