Rookie guard Dalph Panopio delivered the game’s defining moments as Blackwater turned back Meralco, 95-93, in a preseason tune-up on Wednesday at the Meralco Gym in Ortigas.
With the Bossing trailing in the final seconds, the third overall pick in this year’s PBA Draft slashed inside for a go-ahead layup with just three ticks left. On the other end, he sealed the win with a clean block on Chris Banchero’s attempt, capping off a breakout performance.
It was a strong bounce-back outing for Panopio, who admitted he was still adjusting during Blackwater’s 96-77 loss to Converge over the weekend. But head coach Jeffrey Cariaso wasn’t worried about the rookie’s early struggles.
“This is why we play these games—to help them settle in and get comfortable,” Cariaso said. “By the time the season opens, I’m confident he’ll be mentally sharp and more relaxed.”
The victory was a welcome lift for Blackwater heading into the 50th PBA season, as Panopio showed poise beyond his years in crunch time.
Meralco, meanwhile, absorbed its second preseason setback despite coming off a 95-89 win against Rain or Shine in Ilagan, Isabela. The Bolts had also dropped a high-scoring affair to Converge, 109-103, before their northern trip.
Key guard Chris Newsome continues to sit out with an injury, leaving Meralco to shuffle its lineup during the tune-up stretch.
Would you like me to spin this further into a sports-magazine style feature (more storytelling and flair around Panopio’s “arrival” moment), or keep it as a straight news report?