Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Star sends NLEX’s semis dreams crashing, advances to next round


The Star Hotshots did not waste their win-once playoff incentive, as their fourth quarter rally was enough to eliminate the NLEX Road Warriors, 89-77, in the 2017 Governor’s Cup Quarterfinals, Tuesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“It’s all about our perseverance, our desire, and our chemistry in defense,” said coach Chito Victolero. “It’s very hard for us because it’s our third game in five days. But because of our willingmess to go deep into the playoffs, we made it.”

With the win, the Hotshots are now bound for the semifinals, and will await the winner of the Meralco Bolts-Blackwater Elite series. The losing Road Warriors, meanwhile, produced their lowest output this conference.

Import Kristofer Acox powered Star with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Paul Lee supplied 18 markers on 50 percent shooting, while Ian Sangalang contributed 14 points.

Star entered the final frame trailing by a field goal, 61-63, but they stepped on the gas through an overwhelming 20-8 surge punctuated by Lee’s fadeaway jumper, en route to a comfortable 81-71 lead with 4:03 remaining.

The Hotshots then cruised the rest of the way. Their cushion ballooned to as high as 14 points, 89-75, after another perimeter jumper by Lee with 55 seconds left to play.

The exiting Road Warriors were led by Aaron Fuller with a near double-double of 16 points and nine rebounds. Kevin Alas produced 15 points, while Alex Mallari provided the spark off the bench with 15 points but had six turnovers.

Star shot an excellent 52 percent from the floor, and they also reigned supreme in the rebounding department, 46-34. Their defense forced NLEX to 15 errors, which they converted to 23 points.

#ReadMore  GAB to avail of legal remedies if Filbasket pushes through

Star’s semis clash with either Meralco or Blackwater will start on Sunday, October 1, at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.

The Scores:

Star 89 – Acox 21, Lee 18, Sangalang 14, Pingris 8, Jalalon 7, Simon 7, Brondial 5, Ramos 3, Reavis 2, Barroca 2, Dela Rosa 2, Melton 0.

NLEX 77 – Fuller 16, Mallari 15, Alas 14, Fonacier 9, Quinahan 6, Tiongson 5, Baguio 5, Rios 4, Al-Hussaini 3, Taulava 0, Soyud 0.

Quarterscores: 23-22, 45-45, 61-63, 89-77.

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

If it worked for Damian Lillard, maybe it could for him, too. Paul Lee is adopting the laid-back approach that the NBA star took...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Adrian Nocum continued to display maturity beyond his years as he powered Rain or Shine past Phoenix, 100-85, to finally break through...

Basketball

Magnolia began its PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup campaign with a dominant 106-75 conquest of Converge, Saturday night at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The...

Basketball

San Miguel opened its PBA Philippine Cup title defense bid with a 109-97 rout of the luckless Rain or Shine, Friday at the SMART...

Basketball

NLEX dealt Blackwater its first loss, 103-97, to further its own streak in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup, Wednesday at the Philsports Arena...

Basketball

When fully unleashed, Robert Bolick is a certified gunner capable of dominating while delivering solid numbers in rebounding and assists. This prowess was on...

Basketball

Robert Bolick reset his career-high in scoring to power NLEX past the luckless Converge, 112-93, for back-to-back wins in the PBA Season 48 Philippine...

Basketball

In his first game back after figuring in a melee, Jamie Malonzo produced his finest performance. The 6-foot-7 winger, despite still nursing a black...

Advertisement