Cameron Krutwig kept hold of Blackwater in the midst of a big Terrafirma fightback en route to a tense 93-86 win in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Krutwig completed a three-point play then set up Rashawn McCarthy for a three-point basket, all happening down the stretch, as the Bossing got their second wind to preserve a win.
The do-it-all import came away with 29 points, 24 rebounds and a perfect 7-of-7 shooting from the charity stripes.
Blackwater head coach Ariel Vanguardia expected Terrafirma to come all out, knowing they have been in a similar situation last season.
The Bossing posted the longest losing skid in PBA history — 29 straight games.
The Dyip had just absorbed their 21st consecutive loss and Vanguardia believes it is only a matter of time before they can get into the win column.
“We’ve been in similar situation last season when we were so hungry to pick up a win, but we couldn’t get over the hump,” Vanguardia said.
“Now, Terrafirma played with much urgency and nearly pulled off a win. Their losses were close losses and we felt relieved we were able to survive it.”
To endure the Dyip, the Bossing had to weather a blistering 14-0 run from their rivals as Terrafirma turned a 49-60 deficit to a 63-60 advantage in the closing stage of the third period.
But Krutwig, Troy Rosario and Baser Amer combined for 25 of the Bossing’s 30 fourth-quarter points, allowing them to hold on and preserve its third win in six games and put the team back on track for a playoff hunt.
Last conference, the Bossing were able to crack the playoffs and by calculation, Vanguardia is upbeat of his team’s return to the quarterfinal round if ever the team avoids losing back-to-back games.
Vanguardia paid tribute to Krutwig’s solid game.
Known for getting his teammates more involved, Krutwig was more offensive-minded in the fourth period, where he knocked in 11 during that stretch.
“He took advantage against the defense as there was no double team, so he continued to attack Terrafirma inside,” Vanguardia added.
Rosario, picked up in a trade involving top overall pick Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and promising sophomore Calvin Oftana, contributed 15 points and eight boards. The veteran forward poured in eight markers in the fourth period.
Amer also had a steady game and produced 21 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Defensively, Blackwater put the clamps down on the high-scoring Lester Prosper, whose production was slowed down.
Prosper came away with only 18 points, including only four in the first half.
The scores:
Blackwater (93) — Krutwig 29, Amer 21, Rosario 15, McCarthy 10, Ular 6, Suerte 5, Banal 3, Jackson 2, Ayonayon 2, Sena 0, Taha 0.
Terrafirma (86) — Prosper 18, Cahilig 12, Calvo 10, Aldrech Ramos 10, Munzon 9, Cabagnot 7, Alolino 6, Gonez de Liano 6, Mina 6, Gabayni 2, Javelona 0.
Quarters: 15-12; 37-36; 63-63; 93-86.
