The Blackwater Bossing finally tasted victory after a notorious 29-game losing streak as they stunned the Magnolia Hotshots, 101-100, in the 2022 PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The win was a positive end to what has been an unforgettable losing spell for the franchise—a losing slump that lasted a year and four months. And it wouldn’t have been possible had it not been for the heroics of Barkley Eboña.
Down by one, the 6-foot-5 Cebuano picked up a turnover by Magnolia veteran Mark Barroca and scored a tough bucket over the defense of Aris Dionisio to give Blackwater a 101-100 lead with just 10 seconds to go. Rookie Rey Anthony Suerte then sealed the win for the Bossing as he blocked Jackson Corpuz’ potential game-winner as time expired.
The win was a long time coming for the Dioceldo Sy-owned ball club. The last time the team made it to the win column was way back on October 18, 2020, when they won over NLEX, 98-88, in the Philippine Cup.
Shawn Glover led Blackwater with 33 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, while Suerte added 16 markers and five boards. Andre Paras chipped in 12 while Eboña and Paul Desiderio contributed eight points each.
Magnolia got 27 points—a new career-high—from Barroca, who almost single-handedly brought the team back from an 11-point deficit. He shoved the Hotshots in front, 100-99, with a tough jumper with 48 seconds to go. However, the cat-quick guard quickly turned from hero to goat as he turned the ball over in the backcourt, which led to the basket by Eboña.
