MANILA -- Blackwater Elite opened the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner's Cup with a huge win against Meralco Bolts in overtime, 94-91, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday night.
The Elite scored four straight points off a dunk from Alex Stepheson and two free throws from Mike Digregorio for a 93-89 cushion with 17.7 seconds left in the extra period.
Gani Lawal kept the Bolts in the game with a follow-up, with just 11.1 seconds remaining to cut the lead to two.
Ray-Ray Parks still kept the door open for Meralco as he only made a split from the line, but Lawal failed to force a second overtime by missing a triple as time expired.
Stepheson and Digregorio each scored 21 points for Blackwater, which won for the first time under Coach Aris Dimaunahan.
Parks added 20 points, eight rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block in his much anticipated PBA debut.
Lawal finished with 34 markers, 21 boards, and three steals for Meralco. (PNA)
