BLACKWATER responded to the challenge of coach Jeff Cariaso as it capped its PBA On Tour campaign on a winning note behind a 101-78 blowout of TNT Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Veteran guard JVee Casio led the charges for the Bossing, scoring 14 of his game-high 18 points in the second half when the team finally pulled away from the Tropang Giga for good.
Casio was 4-of-8 from three-point range, while getting plenty of help from the rest of the Bossing, who had six other players finishing in double figures.
The 23-point victory was the first for Cariaso as Blackwater head coach since he began calling the shots for the team in the preseason last week.
"I'm happy with the way the guys came out, mentally strong. Whatever I asked, binigay naman nila. So I'm proud of them for that," said the Bossing mentor.
Sponsored content: "The challenge for the guys was to go on a break on a winning note. And it doesn't matter what the situation were in, it doesn't matter kung sino ang kalaban, anong games whether its PBA On Tour or a regular conference."
The Bossing finished with the same record as Meralco Bolts at 7-4, but clinched third place via the winner-over-the-other rule. Blackwater beat Meralco last July 14 (89-82).
Blackwater led by as many as 27 early in the fourth period.
TNT finished with a 1-10 record as it lost its last three outings in the preseason.
Glenn Khobuntin paced the Tropang Giga anew with 18 points. (RG)
Sponsored content: The scores
Blackwater (101) - Casio 18, Digregorio 15, Ular 11, McCarthy 11, Rosario 11, Suerte 10, Ayonayon 10, Ilagan 7, Escoto 4, Publico 4, Banal 0.
TNT (78) - Khobuntin 14, Tungcab 13, Cruz 11, Marcelo 8, Cuntapay 8, Heruela 7, Montalbo 7, Alfaro 6, Varilla 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Reyes 0, Jopia 0.
Quarterscores: 32-21; 51-43; 80-55; 101-78.
