The new-look Mahindra Floodbuster finally ended their five-game skid after overcoming the Blackwater Elite, 96-87, in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup Sunday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Reden Celda provided 18 points, four rebounds and four assists to lead Mahindra (2-7) which played for the first time since trading away top player Alex Mallari to NLEX in exchange for Glenn Khobuntin and Eric Camson.
Khobuntin scored 15 points and five rebounds, while Camson had nine points and three boards in their Floodbuster debut.
The victory pumped some life into the Floodbuster’s playoff hopes. Currently at 10th place, they need teams above them to drop some games in order to have a shot at advancing.
Mahindra broke the game wide open in the fourth frame, turning a 70-all tie into an 89-79 lead after finding a way to make things difficult for Blackwater import Greg Smith.
Smith tallied 29 points and 25 boards in the loss as Blackwater (2-7) which, like Mahindra, is on the brink of elimination.
