The PBA Commissioner’s Cup contest shifted in the fourth quarter as Blackwater outscored Magnolia 30-19 to secure its first win after two early losses. The turnaround was fueled by inside dominance and timely perimeter shooting.

Sedrick Barefield delivered 22 of his 26 points in the second half, knocking down six three-pointers to swing momentum. After the game, he emphasized the impact of their new reinforcement, saying, “He lifts us all up so it’s great to have him.”

‘He lifts us all up’ highlights import impact

The PBA Commissioner’s Cup spotlight fell on Blackwater’s new import, who made an immediate impact with 35 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and three blocks in his debut.

His presence was felt on both ends, including a clutch four-pointer in the final minute that extended the lead and helped seal the win. The performance validated the team’s decision to bring him in as a replacement.

“He was huge,” Barefield said. “You can see the presence that he had down low, the rebounds, he hit a big 4 down the stretch. It’s just who he is as a person and as a teammate.”

Head coach Jeff Cariaso echoed the sentiment, pointing to the importance of a reliable import in crunch time while also crediting Barefield for stepping up offensively in the second half.

Magnolia falls short despite Omot’s big night

Magnolia appeared in control after building a 60-49 lead in the third quarter, but the PBA Commissioner’s Cup game turned late as execution faltered.

Nuni Omot led all scorers with 38 points, along with seven rebounds and nine assists, while Zavier Lucero added 15 and Ian Sangalang chipped in 12. However, Jerom Lastimosa was limited to five points.

The loss dropped Magnolia to 0-3, with late-game struggles continuing to be a major concern as the conference progresses.

“I think we just found what worked and stuck with it and that was really it,” Barefield said. “In the past we haven’t gone to what works, but tonight we did a good job of that.”