Joshua Munzon delivered when it mattered most as Titan held off a furious Blackwater rally to secure a 102-98 win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. What looked like a comfortable victory early quickly turned into a tense battle, forcing Titan to dig deep in the closing minutes.

The Giant Risers established control early and built a commanding 20-point lead, dictating the tempo with balanced offense and defensive pressure. However, Blackwater refused to fold, slowly chipping away at the deficit and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

Munzon seals win after Blackwater comeback

Momentum swung heavily in Blackwater’s favor late in the game as Sedrick Barefield sparked a third-quarter surge that brought the Bossing back into contention. The once-lopsided contest turned into a tight exchange, with Blackwater closing in at 98-94 after Barefield’s jumper.

With the pressure mounting and time running down, Munzon stepped up and delivered the biggest shot of the night. His shotclock-beating four-pointer pushed Titan’s lead to 102-94, giving his team just enough cushion to withstand Blackwater’s final push.

Blackwater continued to battle behind Robert Upshaw III and Richard Escoto, trimming the gap further and keeping hopes alive until the final moments. However, missed opportunities down the stretch, including a crucial attempt from Christian David, prevented the Bossing from completing the comeback.

Titan’s composure proved to be the difference as they held their ground in the final minute to secure their second win in three games and improve to a 2-3 record.

Balanced effort backs Munzon’s heroics

While Munzon grabbed the spotlight with his 25-point performance, Titan’s victory was built on a collective effort that kept them in control for most of the contest. Earl Gilmore delivered a strong inside presence with 21 points and 15 rebounds, anchoring both ends of the floor.

Aris Dionisio also made key contributions with 11 points, six rebounds and three steals, providing stability whenever Blackwater threatened to swing momentum fully in its favor. Their combined efforts ensured that Titan had enough support to weather the late-game storm.

Head coach Rensy Bajar credited his players for staying composed despite the pressure, emphasizing their ability to stick together during Blackwater’s comeback run. He highlighted defense and teamwork as the foundation that ultimately carried them through a difficult stretch.

Blackwater, on the other hand, showed resilience after falling behind early, with Barefield finishing with 25 points while Upshaw added 25 points and 11 rebounds. Dalph Panopio chipped in 10 points, playing a key role in igniting the comeback from a 20-point hole.

Despite the loss, Blackwater’s fightback underscored their potential, although late-game execution remains an area they must address after dropping to a 1-4 record.