PBA: Blackwater rallies to get back at Phoenix, stop slide

MANILA, Philippines—Blackwater came back from 15 points down to upset Phoenix, 106-100, in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday at Araneta Coliseum.

The Bossing snapped a three-game skid and climbed to third in Group B with a 3-3 record with league powerhouses Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia trailing by a half-game behind with 2-3 slates.

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“The guys never stopped. Credit to my bench players who I had to pull out. Everybody helped out. We could take them in and they’d play good defense,” said coach Pat Aquino, whose squad avenged a 102-93 loss to the Fuel Masters in their first-round meeting eight days ago at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Blackwater’s Sedrick Barefield and coach Pat Aquino after the win over Phoenix. #PBA50 @inquirersports pic.twitter.com/HxAMuIjESR

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) August 5, 2026

“I’m just very happy that we had this win. It’s a good start in the second round. Hopefully, we can push more and get some more wins.”

Trailing 83-68 with 3:09 left in the third quarter, Blackwater went on a 20-3 surge capped by a 3-pointer by Sedrick Barefield to pull ahead, 88-86, with 8:06 remaining.

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Ricci Rivero gave the lead back to Phoenix, 93-92, after completing a three-point play, but only for Blackwater to respond with a 10-0 burst behind RK Ilagan and Troy Mallilin and put the game away.

Kentrell Barkley powered the Bossing with 34 points, 16 rebounds and two blocks, while Barefield led all locals in scoring with 26. Ilagan chipped in 15.

The Fuel Masters lost despite the efforts of BJ Johnson, who fired a game-high 45 points, highlighted by seven triples. Rivero also had a solid outing, collecting 15 points, seven rebounds and eight assists.

Phoenix slid into a first-place tie with streaking Rain or Shine in Group B with identical 4-2 records.