Along with helping Blackwater stay at the top half of the standings, Troy Rosario will also face his former team on PBA Saturday.
PBA Saturday Games (October 22, 2022)
Venue: PhilSports Arena
First Game: Blackwater Bossing versus TNT Tropang Giga (4:30 PM)
Second Game: Rain or Shine Elasto Painters versus Meralco Bolts (6:45 PM)
Rosario, Blackwater Go Up Against TNT
| Blackwater Bossing | TNT Tropang Giga | |
| Offensive Rating | 101.9 (11th) | 110.8 (4th) |
| Defensive Rating | 107.4 (8th) | 102.4 (5th) |
| Pace | 77.8 (10th) | 79.0 (5th) |
| Standing | 3-3 (T-4th) | 2-2 (T-7th) |
Previous Games: Blackwater won against Terrafirma Dyip, 93-86; TNT lost to the NLEX Road Warriors, 110-101
After six games in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Blackwater is still in the top half of the standings. Their numbers on offense and defense don’t particularly stand out, but a surprise win against the San Miguel Beermen may have put them in a position to snatch a quarterfinals seat this conference. They have a very unselfish import in Cameron Krutwig (6.7 assists) and Baser Amer has been consistently good (career-high 18.8 points on 56.9% True Shooting).
The offseason acquisition of Troy Rosario also added a new layer of versatility on both ends of the floor. The 22.6% shooting from three (6.2 attempts) has to improve, but his willingness to shoot the three-ball as a big man is helping space the floor for Blackwater. On defense, the 6-foot-7 Rosario is one of the most switchable bigs in the PBA, as he can essentially defend all five positions.
The upcoming game against TNT, his former team, may or may not be an added motivation for Rosario. But he and the Bossing squad will be desperate to get this win, as it could help solidify their claim for a playoff seat.
Desperate Meralco Tries To Get Back on Track
| Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | Meralco Bolts | |
| Offensive Rating | 102.1 (T-9th) | 102.1 (T-9th) |
| Defensive Rating | 101.9 (4th) | 105.3 (6th) |
| Pace | 79.2 (4th) | 75.5 (12th) |
| Standing | 2-3 (10th) | 1-4 (12th) |
Previous Games: Rain or Shine lost to TNT, 110-91; Meralco lost to Phoenix Super LPG, 89-82
The Bolts have to quickly get their act going, as they only have seven more games to make up ground for their horrid 1-4 start to the conference. A coach hinting at a potential import replacement is always a bad sign, especially when your team is already missing its top player. Meralco has gone 1-3 in the absence of the injured Chris Newsome, and their import Johnny O’Bryant is coming off a horrendous game, shooting-wise.
It doesn’t help that they’ll be going up against a Rain or Shine squad that ranks 4th in defensive rating. The Elasto Painters are also hungry for a win (currently on a two-game losing skid), and they will have their import Steve Taylor Jr. back after missing one game (health and safety protocols). Meralco has to be wary of Rain or Shine star Rey Nambatac, who is steadily getting into his groove (19.5 points on 56..5% FG).
