PBA: Blackwater ends long drought, sends Magnolia to 0-3 start

David Murrell tried to dunk the ball against Zav Lucero. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--With a new import in tow, Blackwater ended a long dry spell and an even longer head-to-head drought against Magnolia with a 97-91 stunner in their PBA Commissioner's Cup game on Sunday night at the Ynares Center 1 in Antipolo.

New reinforcement Robert Upshaw did his best to lead the way for the Bossing, but it was Sedrick Barefield who came alive when they needed him the most, as they snapped a 12-game losing streak.

Upshaw put up 35 points on 13-of-22 shooting, including 3-of-6 on four-pointers, 14 rebounds, six assists, and three blocks to pace Blackwater in scoring.

However, Barefield helped finish the job for the team, scoring 24 of his 26 points in the second half, including 16 in the fourth quarter, as crucial threes kept them afloat.

Barefield went 6-for-9 from three-point range and also tallied one rebound, three assists, one steal, and two blocks as the Bossing beat the Hotshots for the first time in five years.

Nuni Omot led Magnolia, which dropped to 0-3, with 38 points on 15-of-22 shooting, seven rebounds, nine assists, but he too had six turnovers.

Ian Sangalang went 5-for-5 from the field for 12 points with four rebounds and two steals.