King produces 64 as Blackwater exits with pride
The Blackwater Bossing exits the PBA Season 49 Governors Cup with their heads held high as they defeated the top team in their group, Rain or Shine, 113-118, on Monday, September 23, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
George King led Blackwater with his 64 points — the franchise record for most points. He was 18-of-35 from the field — 3-of-8 from four point area, 2-of-5 from the rainbow arc, and 13-of-22 from twos.
King also set another franchise record by shooting 20-of-20 from the free throw line, which also tied the second all-time most foul shots made without a miss in a single game that Wes Matthews first recorded in 1991.
"I went a hundred percent from the free throw line, 20 for 20, but I think within my first couple of free throws, I knew I was like, it's going to be a good night tonight," said King.
"And you know, in a game like this (no-bearing), I had to find motivation, right? And that's what the best players do. And I said, what a great opportunity tonight to play basketball. Essentially, there's no pressure. I know that I'm probably going to play 40 minutes tonight. Let's see what I'm made of," he added.
With the win, the Bossing finished the group stage with a 5-5 slate. Although the team was tied with NLEX in win-loss record, the Road Warriors will be the one to advance to the next round as the fourth-seeded team as they have a superior quotient (+6) in the tiebreaker against Blackwater.
Coach Jeff Cariaso said that it was because he felt that if given the chance, they would have showcased what kind of a team they are made of from this moment on.
"So, the second best (thing) was, regardless of having no chance, I just wanted to challenge them to perform tonight, respect the game, respect the blessings that we are playing. That's what I shared with them and they came out and played well," Cariaso said.
Despite the loss, the Elasto Painters remained as the No. 1 team in Group B and will face Group A's No. 4, Magnolia Hotshots in a best-of-five quarterfinal match-up that will begin on Wednesday, September 25, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The scores:
BLACKWATER 139 – King 64, Barefield 21, Escoto 13, Rosario 12, Mitchell 11, Corteza 5, Chua 4, Casio 3, Ilagan 3, Montalbo 2, Jopia 1, Kwekuteye 0, Ponferrada 0, Suerte 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 118 – Clarito 18, Fuller 14, Asistio 14, Tiongson 11, Santillan 9, Lemetti 9, Nocum 8, Ildefonso 8, Caracut 7, Belga 6, Mamuyac 6, Villegas 3, Datu 3, Escandor 2, Norwood 0, Borboran 0.
Quarters: 41-37; 70-54; 106-91; 139-118.
Similar news
The East Asia Super League (EASL) is officially set to raise the curtain on its new season with a twin opening in Taipei and Tokyo on October 8, 2025 — a move that reflects the league’s expanding reach and growing stature as Asia’s premier basketball competition.
All eyes in Taiwan will be on the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, which will host a blockbuster doubleheader featuring some of the region’s most decorated clubs.
The action tips off with a clash between the B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex and the P. LEAGUE+ runners-up Taipei Fubon Braves. Utsunomiya, led by veteran guard Makoto Hiejima, entered as one of Japan’s most successful franchises. The Braves, meanwhile, look to prove their resilience after falling short in a grueling seven-game finals series last season, banking on the leadership of Chinese Taipei legend Lin Chih-Chieh.
The second game of the night brings a rematch between the P. LEAGUE+ champions Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings. Their last encounter came in the 2025 EASL Final Four semifinals, where Taoyuan stunned Ryukyu, 71–64. This time, the Golden Kings are eager for redemption, while the Pilots hope to reaffirm their place among Asia’s elite.
Game schedule (HKT):
- Utsunomiya vs. Taipei Fubon – 6:30 PM
- Taoyuan vs. Ryukyu – 8:30 PM
China came within a single basket of toppling Oceania powerhouse Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup final, bowing 90-89 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but sending a clear message that it remains a force in Asian basketball.
The Chinese squad, bannered by Hu Mingxuan and Hu Jinqiu, led by as many as 15 points through three quarters before faltering in the final minutes against the defending champions. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the performance was a reminder of China’s proud basketball heritage and its potential return to continental supremacy.
Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals after triumphing over host nation Saudi Arabia in a tense 95-88 overtime victory on Monday, August 11 (Tuesday, August 12 in Manila) at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Justin Brownlee once again showed his ‘Never Say Die’ attitude after drilling a contested three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left to force the extra period. He went on to finish with 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds, paving the way for a quarterfinal showdown with two-time defending champion Australia on Wednesday, August 13.
Brownlee’s heroics set the stage for Kevin Quiambao, who buried two triples in OT to complete a 17-point performance alongside three dimes and three deflections.
"It was a special game, it was a special performance from both teams," said head coach Tim Cone. "They (Saudi Arabia) posed a lot of problems for us, and by all rights, they had the game won — except for the guy sitting to my right (Brownlee). If you know his history, that’s not unusual. He’s been hitting big shots."
AJ Edu anchored the middle with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, while Dwight Ramos chipped in 13 markers, 10 boards, three dimes, and a rejection.
Beyond Brownlee’s late-game magic, the Philippines secured the win by neutralizing Saudi Arabia’s high-scoring duo of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Mohammed Alsuwailem in the extra frame.
Abdur-Rahkman erupted for 33 points on 8-of-14 shooting from deep, while Alsuwailem tallied 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks — but the two combined for only five points in OT as Gilas closed the door on the hosts’ upset bid.
The Scores:
Philippines 95 – Brownlee 29, Edu 17, Quiambao 17, Ramos 13, Fajardo 6, Tamayo 5, Thompson 4, Newsome 4, Malonzo 0, Perez 0, Aguilar 0.
Saudi Arabia 88 – Abdur-Rahkman 33, Alsuwailem 26, Almuwallad 10, Abdel Gabar 8, Ma. Almarwani 4, Belal 3, Kadi 3, Mo. Almarwani 1, Shubayli 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 40-37, 60-59, 79-79 (reg.), 95-88 (OT).