Bossing pull out first win with help from new guys
Opportunities await players like new acquisitions Abu Tratter and Troy Mallillin at Blackwater, which finally barged into the win column of the PBA Philippine Cup following two lopsided defeats.
And after crushing the NorthPort Batang Pier, 120-98, on Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, the two are hoping to capitalize on their fresh starts and provide the Bossing an important lift the rest of the way.
“Whatever opportunity is given to me, I would like to maximize it,” Tratter said after getting a win at the expense of his former team, which dealt the journeyman to Blackwater in exchange for sophomore guard James Kwekuteye that set up a reunion with coach Jeffrey Cariaso.
Tratter had two points and five rebounds in 11 minutes but is looking to rediscover the form he had under Cariaso with Alaska, where the La Salle product had the best years of his professional career.
“He’s always been a positive influence in my career and my life,” Tratter said of Cariaso. “I’m looking forward to the upcoming days and just stacking those days with him and also my teammates because I got some great teammates.”
Back to work
Playing time has been scarce for the 32-year-old Tratter during his previous stops not only at NorthPort but also with Magnolia. It’s the same predicament Mallillin had during his last PBA duty for talent-laden San Miguel Beer, where room to showcase his wares was a challenge.
Mallillin became an unrestricted free agent after last season and was unemployed for several months before Blackwater came calling before the conference started.
Against the Batang Pier, Mallillin had 10 points and six rebounds in nearly 25 minutes off the bench to help the Bossing enter the win column after losing by an average margin of 26.5 points to Magnolia and Converge.
“Bigay-todo talaga (I gave it my all),” Mallillin said. “I’m just trying to push myself in whatever role coach Jeff gives. I’m just happy to be back in the PBA and how Blackwater welcomed me with open arms.”
Sedrick Barefield bucked his woeful showing in a 31-point defeat to Converge by knocking down 20 points, majority coming in the third when Blackwater pulled away from a 48-47 halftime lead.
Christian David added 19, also rebounding from his own offensive struggles the last time. RK Ilagan dropped 17, and another new addition in BJ Andrade, who came over from Converge in a trade for Rey Suerte, added 14 points with five rebounds and three assists.
NorthPort, despite the return of Arvin Tolentino from injury, fell to 1-2 with a second straight loss, spoiling Joshua Munzon’s 27 points and William Navarro’s 24 and 11 boards.
Meanwhile, Magnolia aims to stretch its unbeaten start to four games when Mark Barroca makes a Zamboanga City homecoming as the Hotshots take on Phoenix on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
