Mike Ayonayon played a statement game against his former team, NLEX, and powered Blackwater to a 93-88 win in the opening of the Philippine Basketball Association On Tour at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
Selected by the Road Warriors as their third overall pick in the 2019 Rookie Draft, Ayonayon played probably his best game in the PBA against the team which traded him two years ago.
He scored 11 of his 16 points in the second half as the Bossing made a good first impression under pinch-hitting coach Joe Silva, who took over the coaching reins in lieu of newly-appointed mentor Jeff Cariaso.
Rey Suerte added 14 markers while RK Ilagan added nine points on top of eight assists for the Bossing, who won despite shooting below 40% from the field.
The Bossing, however, outsprinted the Road Warriors and produced more fast break points, 24 to 10.
Blackwater’s second unit also outplayed its counterpart, outscoring NLEX in bench points, 51-36.
The PBA On Tour returns with a double header on Wednesday at the Ynares Arena in Pasig.
NorthPort starts life without Robert Bolick as it plunges to action against Meralco in the first game at 5 p.m. while San Miguel Beer takes on Phoenix Super LPG in the main game at 7:30 p.m.
The Scores:
Blackwater 93 – Ayonayon 16, Lucky 14, Sena 9, Ilagan 9, Torralba 8, Hill 8, Ular 6, Amer 5, Taha 5, DiGregorio 5, Publico 4, McCarthy 3, Banal 1
NLEX 88 – Anthony 18, Trollano 15, Balanza 13, Fajardo 10, Alas 8, Rosales 7, Doliguez 5, Rangel 4, Miranda 3, Gabo 3, Pascual 2, Cell 0
Quarters: 23-16, 49-36, 74-69, 93-88
