By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Despite officially missing on the PBA Governor’s Cup playoffs, the Blackwater Bossing made sure they’ll wrap up their campaign with some momentum after dominating the Rain or Shine Elastopainters, 139-118, on September 23, 2024, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Blackwater was officially eliminated from playoff contention after the NLEX Road Warriors nipped the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in overtime, ending their cinderella run in the import-laced conference.
However, the result didn’t hinder Blackwater from clinching a win in their final game as they stamped a masterclass over the heavily favored Rain or Shine squad.
George King, Blackwater’s star reinforcement, was a man on a mission after going beast mode when he dropped 64 points against the Elastopainters, the most points scored in the ongoing Governor’s Cup.
The do-it-all skipper gave his best in his last game wearing the Blackwater jersey, schooling every Rain or Shine defender thrown at him in 41 minutes of playing time.
Aside from his insane scoring display, King also pulled down 13 big rebounds and was a huge piece to Blackwater’s spectacular defensive show in the shaded lane.
From the get-go, Rain or Shine already had no answers to King’s blitzing offensive display as he attacked the Elastopainters’ paint at will with his athleticism.
After the aggressiveness going downhill, King switched gears and turned into a flamethrower in the second half, spraying trifectas that widened their gap to as much as 25 points.
Midway through the fourth, Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao already pulled out all of his starters and surrendered after witnessing King’s phenomenal performance.
“I don’t know if a lot of people can say they scored 64. A lot of guys who walked on the face of the earth can’t say they scored 64 in a professional basketball game. All glory to God. I felt good the entire night,” said King after the win.
Sedrick Barefield also flaunted his offensive arsenal against Rain or Shine and backstopped King with 21 markers.
Meanwhile, versatile power forward Richard Escoto flirted with 13 points and five rebounds while Troy Rosario chipped in 12 markers.
