Allein Maliksi and John Pinto took charge in overtime as Blackwater hammered out a 104-98 win over the TNT KaTropa in the 2018 PBA Governors' Cup on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Elite got off to a winning start in the season-ending conference thanks to the two cagers, who combined for 15 points in the extra period.
TNT dropped to 1-2.
Maliksi topscored for the Elite with a season-high 28 points, nine in the extra five minutes, and hauled down nine rebounds.
Walker had 23 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, and the same number of steals and blocks. Rabeh Al-Hussaini put up a double-double outing with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Pinto finished with 12 markers.
"Thank God," said Blackwater coach Bong Ramos. "I just told the players to play defense. We were playing good defense that's why we were able to salvage a W."
Terrence Romeo led all TNT scorers with 24 points. But his turnover in the dying seconds proved to be costly as it led to a Walker breakaway dunk that tied the match at 86-all. New TNT import Stacy Davis had 23 points and 16 rebounds. Jayson Castro scored 20, but wound up listless in overtime.
Roger Pogoy drilled in a triple to pull TNT to within four points but time wasn't on their side.
KaTropa coach Nash Racela, meanwhile, was pleased with the debut of Davis who just arrived on Thursday.
"Yes (we're satisfied) from what we saw today from our import. It's not really easy for him. He traveled 22 hours. From the moment he arrived yesterday, he went to fulfil the medical requirements. He then went to practice," Racela said.
"So from the airport to Makati to practice from 12 to 2pm, then went to the PBA office for measurement. So it's not really easy for him. The important thing the next 24 hours is rest so hopefully he recovers quickly. I think the numbers were decent. 20 something and 15 or 16 rebounds," added Racela.
"I'm sure he'll get better as he plays more."
THE SCORES
Blackwater 104 - Maliksi 28, Walker 23, Al-Hussaini 13, Pinto 12, Digregorio 8, Belo 6, Cortez 5, Jose 5, Zamar 2, Javier 2, Banal 0, Sena 0, Palma 0.
TNT 98 - Romeo 24, Davis 23, Castro 20, Pogoy 11, Garcia 5, Semerad 4, Golla 3, Carey 2, Rosario 2, Williams 2, Cruz 2.
Quarterscores: 21-18, 38-38, 62-63, 86-86, 104-98
EXTRA DRIBBLES
In its first three games, TNT never won with an import. An All-Filipino KaTropa beat the Allen Durham-led Meralco a few days ago.
Blackwater was 0-11 against TNT until this victory. Before the game, TNT was the only team the Elite had not beaten.
NEXT GAMES
Blackwater - vs San Miguel on September 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
TNT - vs Alaska on AUgust 26 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum