Black Knights Finally Win, Hand Giant Risers Third Consecutive Loss

Macau finally broke its seven-game losing streak in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup with a 119-107 victory over Titan Ultra on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

After weeks of frustration, the Black Knights delivered a composed and focused performance, coming out strong from the start and maintaining control throughout to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Macau took charge in the second quarter, scoring 41 points to build a solid 65-48 lead at halftime. The team never lost its grip on the game, relying on a well-rounded offensive attack and timely plays to hold off Titan Ultra’s late-game pushes.

Jenning Leung was the standout performer, posting a career-high 32 points on 11-of-15 shooting, including an impressive 7-of-10 from three-point range. He scored 10 of those points in the fourth quarter, hitting a crucial four-point play and a key three-pointer to push the lead back to double digits when Titan Ultra began to rally.

“It feels good to finally get one,” said Macau head coach Marcus Elliott, whose squad was shorthanded with only nine available players due to off-court commitments. “We’ve been close in a few games, so this one really means a lot.”

Damian Chongqui provided valuable support with 23 points and nine assists, including a key five-point run late in the game that extended the lead to 18, sealing the win. Phoenix Shackelford and import Tony Mitchell both recorded double-doubles with 18 points and 14 rebounds each, while Li Jiashou and Ramon Cao added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

For Leung, the win was a relief after several near-misses.

“We’ve been knocking on the door,” he said. “Every game is an opportunity, and we just stayed together and got it done.”

With the victory, Macau improved to a 1-7 record, keeping its slim playoff chances alive with four games left in the eliminations. The Black Knights will face TNT next, led by Bol Bol, as they try to build momentum and stay in the playoff hunt.

Titan Ultra, on the other hand, suffered its third straight loss, dropping to 2-6. Fran Yu had a career-best 35 points, along with five rebounds and five assists, but his individual performance wasn’t enough to lift his team, which struggled with consistency.

Jerrick Balanza contributed 20 points, but Titan Ultra’s key players, Joshua Munzon and import Michael Gilmore, were limited to a combined 23 points on inefficient shooting, contributing to the team’s continued decline in the standings.