The Star Hotshots needed to scratch and claw just for that first win.
Behind RR Garcia, the Hotshots outlasted the Globalport Batang Pier, 105-102, in overtime to take home its first win in the 2016 PBA Governors Cup Sunday evening at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
RR Garcia led the way with 26 points on 11-for-13 shooting, including the game-tying layup with 8.6 remaining in regulation. Marqus Blakely added a monster double-double with 24 points and 22 rebounds.
“We put ourselves in a pickle, but at the end of the day, these games, they’re not final or fatal,” Star head coach Jason Webb said. “So we’re still alive, even if we started poorly.”
Globalport was clinging on to a three-point lead, 90-87, with 32 seconds to go in the fourth period. However, just as what he has done in his entire career, PJ Simon drained a rainbow to tie the game.
Mike Glover, the Batang Pier’s new reinforcement, was sent to the line and converted on both freebies to gain a two-point edge. Garcia though was able to tie the game with a lay-in to send the game into extra time.
“He got his confidence going, and it was really fun seeing him and Terrence go at it,” Webb remarked about his new floor general.
Prior to this, the game was stopped due to a blackout that caused the game to be stopped for at least 15 minutes.
Romeo, who finished the game with a game-high 27 points, opened overtime with a three but was answered right back by the Hotshots. The game was still in a stalemate with 47 seconds to go, 102-102. Simon though was able to knock the ball away from Glover.
During the breakaway possession, Stanley Pringle was called for a deliberate foul resulting to two free throws for Garcia, knocking both down. Barroca then split his charities afterwards with seven seconds remaining.
With Romeo and Garcia held in a lockdown, Joseph Yeo was forced to throw up a hail mary that missed.
Glover added 27 points and 12 boards for Globalport.
The Scores:
Star (105) – Garcia 26, Blakely 24, Simon 15, Barroca 11, Pingris 8, Maliksi 7, Sangalang 6, Mallari 4, Pascual 2, Reavis 2, Yap 0
Globalport (102) – Glover 27, Romeo 27, Pringle 20, Yeo 11, Taha 10, Semerad 3, Dehesa 2, Kramer 2, Mamaril 0.
Quarterscores: 19-22, 42-44, 71-71, 92-92, 105-102.
