(PBA image)
Titan Ultra rediscovered its fire and snapped a four-game losing streak with a convincing 97-86 win over Blackwater in the PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Calvin Abueva powered Titan with his third consecutive double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds, while Joshua Munzon contributed 18. But it was Fran Yu who stole the show late, firing 10 of his 14 points in the final period to seal the Giant Risers’ long-awaited breakthrough.
“Luckily, the shots were falling,” said Yu. “Kapag nagka-clog sila kina Josh at Calvin, malilibre kami mga guards. That’s our cue to create and capitalize on the space.”
The win lifted Titan to 2-4, finally ending a frustrating slump that had tested their chemistry.
For coach Johnedel Cardel, the turnaround came down to discipline. “We had to change our attitude in the second half,” Cardel said. “In the first two quarters, nagkanya-kanya kami and couldn’t push the ball, that’s why Blackwater got ahead. But once we stuck to our game plan—fast pace, tight defense—we took control.”
Titan’s defense stifled Blackwater’s top guns. Sedrick Barefield, the tournament’s early scoring leader, was held to 18 points on just 6-of-14 shooting, while Christian David struggled to find his rhythm, missing his first seven attempts before finishing with 15 points on a 6-of-20 clip.
“Barefield medyo na-limit namin kahit papaano, and David ganoon din,” Cardel noted. “We executed our defensive plan well.”
Blackwater briefly threatened in the final stretch after Barefield scored on a drive and assisted David to trim the gap to 77-85. But Yu buried a dagger three that ignited a 12-5 closing run, putting the game beyond reach.
With renewed energy and cohesion, Titan finally looked like the contender many expected—hungry, focused, and back in the fight.
Scores:
Titan 97 – Abueva 23, Munzon 18, Yu 14, Melecio 11, Pessumal 10, Flores 7, Balanza 5, Ambohot 3, Dionisio 3, Cuntapay 1, Barasi 0, Ular 0, Sumang 0.
Blackwater 86 – Barefield 18, Mallilin 17, Panopio 15, David 15, Tratter 6, Mendoza 5, Guinto 4, Andrade 2, Escoto 2, Murrell 0, Zamar 0, Dumont 0, Jopia 0.
Quarters: 20-18, 42-47, 71-67, 97-86.