And thus, the Star Hotshots sit atop the standings.
The Hotshots fired all cylinders right from the start and mauled the Meralco Bolts, 108-90, to gain solo lead in the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup, Wednesday night at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
The win improves Star’s card to 8-2, and have moved closer in clinching a twice-to-beat edge for the playoffs. The Bolts, on the other hand, dropped to 7-3 and absorbed their second straight loss.
“I’m happy with the result. We played 48 minutes of Star Hotshots basketball,” lauded Star head coach Chito Victolero in the victory.
Import Ricardo Ratliffe paced Star with 32 points on 65 percent shooting to go with 13 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Paul Lee gave ample support with 16 points and four dimes.
Meralco went down by as deep as 18, 47-29, in the first half, but were able to regain momentum in the next half and forced Star to engage in a tight affair. The third canto ended with the Bolts narrowly behind, 81-75.
The Hotshots did not allow any Bolts comeback attempt to take place. They opened the payoff period with a blistering 13-0 run punctuated by Jio Jalalon’s split charities to restore order, 94-75, with 5:15 left to play.
The wide cushion proved to be too insurmountable to climb back from, as Meralco never had the chance to impose any serious threat, paving the way for Star to come away with the convincing 18-point triumph.
“Medyo maganda talaga yung depensa namin,” added Victolero on the win. “They are number one in defense and points allowed, kaya pinagusapan namin na defensive game talaga ‘to.”
Mark Barroca supplied 12 markers on seven shots for the Hotshots. Allein Maliksi and Jalalon chipped in 11 and 10 markers, respectively, on a combined 8-of-12 shooting.
The Bolts were led by Chris Newsome with 25 points on 70 percent shooting alongside seven rebounds, eight assists, and three steals. Kelly Nabong had 17, while Jared Dillinger added 15.
Alex Stepheson, who has been providing steady double-double outputs for Meralco in previous games, was limited to nine points and nine caroms. He was also fouled out midway into the final frame.
Star shot 59 percent from the floor, but it was their defense that made the difference. They forced Meralco to 21 errors, and converted it to 26 points. They stole the ball nine times, and blocked the Bolts’ shots eight times.
Star will try to maintain their stance against Alaska next Wednesday, May 31, 7:00 PM at the Cuneta Astrodome, while Meralco will aim to bounce back versus Ginebra on Sunday, May 28, 6:45 PM, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Scores:
Star (108) – Ratliffe 32, Lee 16, Barroca 12, Maliksi 11, Jalalon 10, Sangalang 8, Simon 7, Brondial 3, Reavis 3, Abundo 2, Melton 2, Ramos 2, Dela Rosa 0, Javier 0.
Meralco (90) – Newsome 25, Nabong 17, Dillinger 15, Stepheson 9, Caram 9, Hodge 5, Amer 4, Chua 2, Daquioag 2, Hugnatan 2, Lanete 0, Uyloan 0, Faundo 0.
Quarterscores: 27-15, 54-45, 81-75, 108-90.
