The Star Hotshots had to endure a late-game scare by the San Miguel Beermen and survive with a 109-105 win to take Game One of their best-of-five semifinal series, Saturday evening at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
“We know this is a grinding game,” said Star head coach Chito Victolero. “It was all our heart and our will to win. San Miguel kept on fighting — in the last two minutes nakahabol pa sila because they know what to do. But my players kept on fighting.”
Ricardo Ratliffe, in his first-ever semis stint with the Hotshots, made immediate impact as he garnered 26 points and 21 rebounds. He also made his presence felt on defense with three steals. However, he committed 10 turnovers.
Star were comfortably ahead by 13, 105-92, with 2:41 left to play, but SMB stole the ball four straight times that led to a rousing 12-0 run ended by a Marcio Lassiter trey to lift the Beermen behind by a point, 105-104, with 33.5 ticks left.
But the Hotshots did not let the Beermen complete the comeback. Aldrech Ramos played the spoiler’s role, striking a dagger triple from the top of the key off a Paul Lee dish, to take down SMB’s hopes, 108-104, with 12.8 ticks to go.
“That’s what I told Aldrech eh. He’s there to spread the floor. Tentative pa siya in the last two minutes. I told them if you’re open, shoot. Good thing Aldrech responded to my challenge,” lauded Victolero Ramos, who had 11 points.
The Beermen — despite being able to close in by a possession, 108-105, after a Charles Rhodes split from the line — never had any chance to come nearer or tie the game, as Mark Barroca also split his charities at the other end to seal the win.
“It’s about being aggressive and yung will namin na manalo,” added Victolero.
Allein Maliksi chipped in 26 markers on five treys for Star, a bounce-back game for him after going 0-of-10 in Game 2 of their quarterfinal series against Rain or Shine. Ian Sangalang had 12 points and five boards.
Paul Lee only scored four, but had eight assists.
Rhodes paced the Beermen with 34 points on 64 percent shooting alongside 10 rebounds and three steals. June Mar Fajardo almost had a double-double with 24 points and nine caroms, while Arwind Santos produced 16.
Star shot 45 percent from the floor, and was also able to hit 12 triples. But despite the win, Star still had a hard time securing the ball, committing 24 turnovers that led 28 points for San Miguel.
Game Two will be on Monday, June 12, 7:00 PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
Star (109) – Ratliffe 26, Maliksi 26, Sangalang 12, Ramos 11, Barroca 8, Melton 8, Reavis 7, Lee 4, Simon 4, Jalalon 3.
San Miguel (105) – Rhodes 34, Fajardo 24, Santos 16, Lassiter 12, Cabagnot 8, Ross 7, Espinas 2, Tubid 2.
Quarterscores: 23-22, 45-46, 75-72, 109-105.
