By Ivan Saldajeno
QUEZON CITY—Blackwater returned to its winning ways on Wednesday night, trouncing NLEX, 96-85, in their PBA Philippine Cup meeting at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Elite led from wire to wire to snap their two-game slide while handing the Road Warriors a third straight defeat in the tournament.
Arth Dela Cruz led Blackwater with 18 points, eight rebounds, one assist, and one steal, while Kyle Pascual added a career-high 16 points with five rebounds, and two blocks.
Mac Belo had a quiet nine points but still made his presence felt with five rebounds, five assists, five steals, and one block.
Carlo Lastimosa tallied a game-high 23 markers for NLEX, which played sans injured players Garvo Lanete and Enrico Villanueva and sick star Asi Taulava.
Box Scores:
Blackwater 96-Dela Cruz 18, Pascual 16, Buenafe 13, Sena 11, Belo 9, Aguilar 8, Cervantes 7, Pinto 6, Ababou 4, Miranda 2, Banal 0, Sumang 0
NLEX 85-Lastimosa 23, Baracael 16, Soyud 9, Anthony 8, Camson 6, Khobuntin 5, Alas 4, Monfort 4, J. Villanueva 2, Rios 2, Gotladera 0
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