Wednesday’s 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup games saw a pair of thrilling finishes, with Blackwater and Magnolia hacking out inspiring wins.

Blackwater tallies 2nd win at San Miguel’s expense

Behind a triple-double from their import and timely contributions from their locals, the Blackwater Bossing put away the San Miguel Beermen, 109-106. Blackwater import Cameron Krutwig displayed his all-around skillset as he produced a triple-double of 20 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists. Baser Amer had another tremendous outing, finishing with 16 points and 2 steals in the win.

Facing a 12-point deficit entering the final period, Blackwater came up with an inspired effort to steal the win from SMB. They quickly cut through the Beermen’s lead, with Troy Rosario’s back-to-back triples tying the game at the 8th-minute mark of the fourth quarter. A bucket from Barkley Eboña gave Blackwater a 95-93 lead in the ensuing possession.

The game went back and forth from that point, and a Baser Amer triple lifted Blackwater to a one-point lead with 34 seconds remaining in regulation. Mike Ayonayon, one of the unsung heroes for Blackwater, stole the ball in the next possession, which he then converted into an easy transition lay-up. The Beermen had two tries to send the game to overtime, but three-point attempts from Marcio Lassiter and Diamond Stone failed to hit the mark.

Stone had 20 markers in his first game as SMB’s import, while June Mar Fajardo led the charge for the Beermen with 23 points and 16 rebounds.

Abueva, Magnolia Hold Off Undermanned TNT

The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots held off an undermanned TNT Tropang Giga side to carve a 94-92 victory. Calvin Abueva topscored for Magnolia with his 25 points, while import Nick Rakocevic and Paul Lee contributed 22 and 16 markers, respectively. The Hotshots were down 11 entering the fourth quarter, but an Abueva outburst powered them to the victory.

The Tropang Giga played without some of their key cogs, as Mikey Williams, Jayson Castro, Poy Erram, and Raul Soyud sat out the game. Cameron Oliver showcased his game as he debuted with a 43-point night, while newly-acquired Calvin Oftana put up 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds.