NEW name, new result.
Cellar-dweller last Philippine Cup, Columbian Dyip came up with a surprise right off the gates by annihilating the Blackwater Elite, 126-98, in a resounding opening game win in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With a clean slate to work on, Columbian sent a statement that it is more competitive now, especially with a new king in town.
Guard Jeremy King, the former seldom-used spitfire of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, was a revelation, scoring a career-high 30 points, with five triples and seven rebounds, to turn heads and lead his squad to lopsided victory.
His backcourt partner Rashawn McCarthy remained consistent, adding 22 points as well for Columbian.
The Dyip did this with import CJ Aiken scoring only nine points. He had 22 rebounds though.
“We were aggressive all game and I think we’re able to contain Blackwater’s key players well,” said Columbian Dyip coach Ricky Dandan of his team’s keys to victory.
A third quarter explosion propelled the underdog Dyip to the impressive victory.
Columbian fired from all cylinders in the third, outscoring the Elite 28-17 to take full control and grasp a commanding 87-72 cushion heading the fourth quarter.
The Dyip even hiked its lead to 20 points, 81-61, in the third after a triple from King at the 4:53 mark of the period that capped a 10-0 bomb.
Having a solid second quarter also paved way for Columbian’s ascend.
It was able to carve the game’s first double-digit lead, 50-39, after a lay-up from Eric Camson with 3:51 left before the half.
At the turn, Columbian settled for a 59-55 edge but it immediately regained tighter grip after getting its momentum back in the third.
Columbian capitalized on the turnover-prone Elite, scoring 44 huge points off the 33 errors of Blackwater.
Early in the fourth, Allein Maliksi and Eric Camson figured in an altercation and shoving match which resulted in technical fouls for each.
Jarrid Famous had a monster game with 35 points and 22 rebounds for a double-double in his new team but hardly had any help from his locals.
