The Elite established an early lead that they maintained throughout before shrugging off a late stand by the Road Warriors to register only their second win in eight games.
Greg Smith registered 24 points, 18 boards, and missed a triple-double by just three assists, while Nino Canaleta and Mike DiGregrio provided ample support to their import as the Elite kept the Road Warriors winless after eight outings.
The Road Warriors have also lost 11 straight games dating back to the Philippine Cup, just two losses away from coach Yeng Guiao matching his longest losing streak since as far back as 1995 when he was still coaching Mobiline, according to chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III.
NLEX vs BLACKWATER
EVENTS: 2017 PBA COMMISSIONERS CUP
The Road Warriors made a late run, pulling to within four points, 102-98, after two free throws by Sean Anthony, but Wayne Chism and Jansen Rios missed wide-open three-point attempts in their next offensive possession to enable Blackwater to hold on.
Kevin Alas led NLEX with 18 points, four boards, and two assists, but Chism was held to just nine points on 4-of-20 shooting against 15 boards in 32 minutes.
The Final Scoreboard Result:
BLACKWATER 104 – Smith 24, Canaleta 24, Digregorio 22,Cruz 9, Pinto 7, Pascual 6, Cervantes 4, Aguilar 4, Sena 2, Gamalinda 2, Sumang 0, Buenafe 0
NLEX 98 – Alas 18, Al-Hussaini 17, Lastimosa 10, Taulava 10, Anthony 9, Chism 9, Khobuntin 8, Camson 5, Villanueva J. 4, Monfort 4, Soyud 3, Rios 1, Tiongson 0, Guinto 0, Baracael 0
Quarterscores: 28-17, 49-42, 86-68, 104-98