Macau outlasts Blackwater in Commissioner’s Cup thriller to close campaign on high note

0Shares

Macau refused to bow out quietly in its maiden PBA stint, outlasting Blackwater 123-119 in a tense Commissioner’s Cup showdown Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The Black Knights leaned on balanced scoring to secure their second win in 10 outings.

Jenning Leung and Damian Chongqui led the charge with 30 points each, while Raymond Cao added 29 points and 10 rebounds. Tony Mitchell finished with a double-double of 11 points and 22 rebounds as Macau stayed composed in the final minutes to seal the win.

Jenning Leung drives past Blackwater defenders during his 30-point performance in the Macau victory. [photo credit: Peter Baltazar]

Key scoring bursts defined the contest, with Macau producing five players in double figures. Phoenix Shackelford chipped in 11 points, reinforcing coach Marcus Elliott’s belief in the team’s offensive depth throughout the game.

Balanced scoring powers Macau breakthrough

Coach Marcus Elliott praised his team’s offensive distribution after multiple players stepped up in critical stretches. He pointed to the response from Cao and Leung, who bounced back strongly after a quiet outing in their previous game against TNT.

Elliott said the team’s ability to consistently produce double-digit scorers made a difference in sustaining pressure on Blackwater. He added that the group’s collective effort helped them stay competitive in the endgame.

Blackwater, meanwhile, struggled with the absence of its import Robert Upshaw, who sat out due to a calf issue. His limited availability affected the team’s rhythm and interior presence, especially in key defensive sequences.

Late Blackwater rally falls short in final stretch

Despite the setback, Blackwater mounted a late push that brought them within 119-120 with 1:29 remaining. Christian David and Paul Zamar spearheaded the effort, keeping the Bossing within striking distance.

However, Macau responded at the free-throw line as Leung calmly converted two charities to extend the lead. Blackwater’s final chances faded after a missed four-point attempt and a costly turnover in the closing seconds.

Sedrick Barefield’s hurried attempt and subsequent miscue ended the comeback bid, allowing Macau to escape with the win as both teams closed their Commissioner’s Cup campaigns on different notes.