Blackwater turned to Ian Mazo in the third quarter as the Elite trounced Freego Jeans, 104-87, on Thursday to force a three-way tie atop Group A in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) gym. Mazo, the ex-Mapua Cardinal, sizzled for 16 points in the third canto, where he scored 14 of the team's first 20 points as Blackwater took a 69-56 lead. He finished with 25 points as the Elite improved to 2-1 to join Pharex, PC Gilmore and North Luzon Expressway for the Group A lead.
"We struggled in the first half but the guys, especially Mazo, really responded in the third quarter," said Blackwater mentor Leo Isaac, who was the Mapua coach when Mazo was still playing for the Cardinals in the NCAA.
Mazo also had five rebounds and five assists, while Ian Celada also had a field day with 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals for the Elite.
Freego remains winless after three games in Group A.
The Falcons even enjoyed a 40-28 lead in the second quarter, but the Elite fought back with a 14-3 run to close in at 42-43.
Freego held on to a 50-49 halftime lead. The Falcons, however, failed to stop Mazo's offensive splurge in the third, and the Elite went on to build a 20-point spread in the fourth period.
Gerald Lapuz had 13 points while Gio Ciriacruz tallied 12 markers, also for the Elite.
Lester Alvarez led Freego Jeans with 17 points, three rebounds, and six assists. -
Reuben Terrado, GMA News TV
