MANILA, Philippines – Blackwater veteran Troy Rosario said import George King makes life easier for the Bossing.
And that has been evident as Blackwater remained unbeaten with King, stretching its winning streak in the PBA Governors’ Cup to three games after beating NLEX, 110-99, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, September 6.
King chalked up 39 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists as the Bossing continued their resurgence after dropping their first three games to improve to an even 3-3 record in Group B.
“When we’re with George King on the court, basketball is easier for us,” said Rosario in Filipino. “When we run out of options, we’ll just dump the ball to him and George knows what to do.”
King took over in the fourth quarter, scattering 14 points in the period as Blackwater fended off the Road Warriors’ comeback from a 20-point deficit.
NLEX, which trailed 57-77 at one point, got within 92-100 with under four minutes remaining before King sank a step back four-pointer in the ensuing possession that practically put the game beyond the Road Warriors’ reach.
The former NBA player shot 3-of-5 from four-point distance and 11-of-21 overall.
“It is obvious on the court the impact that George King has given us the last three games. He is really a fighter. He is a guy that does not get rattled. He is a true professional,” said Bossing coach Jeff Cariaso.
“[W]hat he brings of value and what we take on as a big value for our team is really his leadership, his composure, and the way he just inserts himself and how much he wants to be part of this team.”
Rosario backstopped King with a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds as he bounced back from a scoreless first half, while rookie Sedrick Barefield added 14 points and 5 assists.
Three more scored in double figures for Blackwater, with RK Ilagan (13), Justin Chua (11), and Christian David (10) making their presence felt.
Import Myke Henry put up 26 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals for NLEX, but his 15-point explosion in the fourth quarter came too late as the Road Warriors lost back-to-back games and slipped to 3-3.
Robert Bolick flirted with a triple-double by netting 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists in the loss.
The Scores
Blackwater 110 – King 39, Rosario 15, Barefield 14, Ilagan 13, Chua 11, David 10, Kwekuteye 4, Mitchell 2, Escoto 2, Hill 0, Ponferrada 0.
NLEX 99 – Henry 26, Bolick 21, Herndon 18, Valdez 8, Policarpio 7, Amer 6, Nermal 4, Miranda 3, Marcelo 2, Fajardo 2, Anthony 2.
Quarters: 28-21, 61-44, 84-73, 110-99.
– Rappler.com