Titan Ultra Giant Risers fended off a late Blackwater Bossing rally to secure a hard-earned 102-98 victory in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Giant Risers appeared headed for a comfortable win after building an early 20-point advantage, but Blackwater clawed its way back into the contest and eventually forced an 87-all deadlock late in the game.
The Giant Risers, however, rediscovered their rhythm in the fourth quarter, unleashing a decisive run to turn the tie into a 94-87 lead behind key baskets from Michael Gilmore and Mark Denver Omega.
Blackwater refused to fold and trimmed the deficit to just two, 94-92, threatening to steal the game in the closing minutes. But Titan Ultra responded with composure as Joshua Munzon and Mark Javillonar delivered back-to-back baskets to extend the cushion to 98-92.
Munzon led the way with 25 points, Gilmore added a double-double of 21 points and 16 rebounds, while Aris Dionisio tallied 11 markers. The win lifted the Giant Risers to a 2-3 record,
The Bossing, on the other hand, dropped to 1-4. They were led by the 25 points apiece of Robert Upshaw III and Sedrick Barefield.
