Blackwater delivered one of the biggest upsets of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after taking down San Miguel Beer, 126-120, to finally end a four-game losing streak and regain momentum at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, April 22.

The Bossing leaned on a balanced effort highlighted by Robert Upshaw, Sedrick Barefield, and BJ Andrade, combining timely scoring and composure in the closing minutes to secure just their second win in eight outings this conference.

Despite facing a veteran San Miguel squad known for late-game poise, Blackwater held firm down the stretch, executing key plays on both ends to deny the Beermen and notch their first victory over the franchise in three seasons.

Upshaw, Barefield power Blackwater breakthrough win

Upshaw set the tone early, dominating inside and stretching the floor with an all-around performance that saw him finish with 35 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block in a commanding showing.

The seven-foot import also sparked Blackwater’s early separation, knocking down four four-pointers in the first half that helped the Bossing build a sizable lead and take a 65-50 advantage at halftime.

Barefield provided the finishing punch, erupting for 29 points including 11 in the fourth quarter, delivering crucial baskets that kept San Miguel at bay during the game’s most critical stretch.

Andrade added valuable support, scoring 13 points with seven coming in the final period, including a decisive five-point burst that pushed Blackwater ahead 125-120 with less than 20 seconds remaining.

San Miguel rally falls short despite big performances

San Miguel mounted a strong comeback in the third quarter behind June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez, both of whom scored 14 points in the period to fuel a 44-27 run that turned a halftime deficit into a 94-92 lead entering the fourth.

The Beermen continued to battle in a tightly contested final quarter, but Barefield’s late triple shifted the momentum back to Blackwater and set the stage for Andrade’s clutch plays in the closing moments.

Bennie Boatwright led San Miguel with 38 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists, while Fajardo posted 28 points and 13 rebounds and Perez added 24 points, five boards, and six assists in a losing effort.

Aquino earns first win as Blackwater coach

The victory marked the first win for head coach Patrick Aquino since taking over the team, crediting his players for maintaining composure and executing the game plan against a championship-caliber opponent.

Aquino emphasized the importance of staying focused despite San Miguel’s expected comeback, reminding his squad to continue playing through adversity and trust in their system until the final buzzer.

With the breakthrough win, Blackwater improves its standing and gains confidence heading into its upcoming games, while San Miguel absorbs a setback that drops the Beermen to a 4-5 record in the conference.