BASER Amer hit the game-winner with 1.7 seconds left as Blackwater Bossing held off Meralco, 90-89, for their third straight win in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Playing against his former team, Amer used a screen provided by Ato Ular and drove strong to the basket for the game-winning banked shot that enabled the Bossing to escape with their third straight win and 4-1 overall.

Amer’s heroics came after the Bolts rallied from a 10-point deficit to make the game interesting.

“I told him (Amer) before the game that this is your game, tatalunin mo yung dati mong team. And he delivered,” said Blackwater coach Ariel Vanguardia in an interview posted at the official PBA website.

“I told him, you’re gonna win this for us. So it takes a former Meralco player to beat Meralco. Siyempre, sila sanay sa pressure, been there, done that. Kami wala pa halos,” added Vanguardia

“Ang maganda lang dito, kung last conference, kapag nakalamang kami then nalamangan kami, namamatay na ang kandila namin. Ngayon hindi, nakikita ko sa mata nila, lalo pang tumatapang,” said Vanguardia.

Ular and Jvee Casio led Blackwater with 19 points apiece, while.Rey Suerte added 15.

Casio had six points

Chris Newsome led Meralco with 23 points.

In the second game, NLEX outlasted Phoenix Super LPG, 114-108, in overtime.

Meanwhile, TNT Tropang Giga gun for their fifth straight win when they takesl on Terrafirma Dyip while Barangay Ginebra Kings will go for their fifth victory when they battle Converge FiberXers.

A fifth straight win would boost the Tropang Giga’s overall record to 7-2 and solidify their chances for a top two finish and the twice-to-beat incentive that comes with it.

The Dyip, on the other hand, are hoping to snap a five-game losing streak since Isaac Go and Eduardo Daquioag were sidelined by injuries.

TNT is fresh from an inspiring 117-112 victory over Northport Batang Pier last Wednesday and Tropang Giga coach Chot Reyes was quick to praise his players, especially the relievers, for their ability to adjust during the game.

“Kailangan na namin talagang gamitin yun depth, their services, as the season progresses. I think we’re seeing some great contributions from those guys now, especially with the injuries we’re dealing with,” said Reyes.

The Dyip are still hurting

from a 70-107 setback at the hands of Blackwater last Saturday.

There will be no Tim Cone in the Ginebra-Converge matchup.

The Gin Kings will play without their multi-titled head coach for over two weeks as Cone will sit on the Miami Heat bench in the NBA Summer League set July 2-17 in San Francisco, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas.

Without Cone, the Kings will play five games and hope to do well and contend for a Top Two finish in the elims.

The Gin Kings are 4-1, just half-game behind the pacesetting San Miguel Beermen (5-1).

They will start their journey under assistant coach Richard Del Rosario.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for coach Richard. Nothing’s gonna change. He’s not gonna put in a whole new system when I leave,” said Cone.

“He’s the No. 1 adjustment coach on our team, anyway,” added Cone.

The scores:

First game

Blackwater (90) – Ular 19, Casio 19, Suerte 15, McCarthy 12, Rosser 8, Taha 8, Amer 6, Ebona 2, Sena 1, Escoto 0, Ayonayon 0, Publico 0.
Meralco (89) – Newsome 23, Quinto 18, Banchero 14, Almazan 12, Hodge 6, Caram 6, Baclao 5, Hugnatan 2, Pasaol 2, Jose 1, Black 0.
Quartersscores 18-30, 43-46, 70-69, 90-89.

Second game

NLEX (114) – Oftana 22, Quinahan 21, Alas 18, Trollano 17, Chua 12, Rosales 9, Miranda 5, Semerad 4, Ighalo 2, Soyud 2, Paniamogan 2, Fonacier 0.
Phoenix (108) – Wright 19, Tio 18, Muyang 17, Anthony 17, Jazul 12, Mocon 8, Manganti 4, Garcia 4, Pascual 4, Rios 3, Rosales 2, Porter 0, Lalata 0.
Quarterscores: 23-7, 47-43, 72-70, 103-103, 114-108 (OT)