THE Blackwater Elite came alive in the third period where they staged a huge rally to overcome and prevail over the NorthPort Batang Pier, 96-89, in the 2020 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup on Monday, October 12, 2020 at the Angeles University FoundationSports Arena & Cultural Center in Pampanga.

Trailing by nine at halftime, Blackwater suddenly found their bearings in the third and rode the hot shooting of Don Trollano, Roi Sumang and Mac Belo to turn things around and lead, 79-65.

NorthPort mounted a late comeback attempt but gritty defensive stops and buckets by Roi Sumang and Ed Daquioag kept the Batang Pier at bay to give Blackwater’s new head coach Nash Racela his first win at the helm of the Elite.

Trollano had a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds while Sumang added 17 markers, including a floater and a steal off of NorthPort’s Kevin Ferrer that led to a Daquioag lay-up for a 95-89 Blackwater lead with just 28 seconds remaining.

Belo added 16 points and six boards while Daquioag had 13 markers.

The loss spoiled great performances from NorthPort sentinels Christian Standhardinger and Sean Anthony as the former had 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists while the latter put up 22 points, 13 boards and six dimes.