FILE–Blackwater Bossing’s RK Ilagan.
Blackwater edged past NLEX, 95-90, on Friday to close in on a spot in the championship game of the Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament in Davao City.
Back-to-back baskets by Abu Tratter and RK Ilagan in the final minute broke a 90-all tie to secure the Bossing’s second win in as many games at University of Southeastern Philippines Gym.
READ: NLEX, Blackwater off to winning start in Kadayawan tournament
They can secure a spot in the final with a win on Saturday against the Converge FiberXers, who pulled off a thrilling 100-98 win over the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
Justine Baltazar’s jump hook with 14.9 left put the FiberXers in front after trailing by three twice inside the last two minutes.
Tyler Tio had a chance to give Phoenix a win or force overtime, but he missed a three-pointer and a one-handed runner before the buzzer sounded.
Converge improved to 1-1 to equal the record of NLEX, which will try to keep its chances of reaching the title match against Phoenix on Saturday.
Phoenix, which is using the tournament to familiarize itself under new coach Willy Wilson, stayed winless after two games.
Hometown kid Francis Escandor, who was given a two-year deal after being released by Rain or Shine in the offseason, gave Phoenix a 96-93 lead, but the Fuel Masters couldn’t close things out in the end.
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