When Justin Melton returned to Commissioner’s Cup action last April 22 after a three-game layoff due to a hamstring injury, the high-flying point guard admitted that he has yet to reach his maximum health.
“I feel okay. Not yet a hundred [percent] yet, but I’m getting there,” said the explosive Filipino-American back then, after Star’s win against the Blackwater Elite.
As the Hotshots continued on, Melton was also regaining shape. And on Wednesday night against the struggling Alaska Aces, the 30-year-old showed that he has fully reached his full, 100 percent.
The 13th overall pick of the 2013 PBA Draft supplied 12 points, six boards, and three dimes. All of his points came from beyond the arc, and his fourth and final triple served to be the game’s dagger that struck the Aces hard.
When the Aces threatened once more and took the lead, 98-97, in overtime, Paul Lee tried to nail a dagger trey from the top, but Chris Banchero reacted quick to defend, forcing him to hold back and dish it to his left, to Melton.
Melton then obliged, taking advantage of the defensive lapse made by Banchero. He pulled up for the triple, and that pass by Lee became a feed as his shot swished the net. The Hotshots were then on the lead, 100-98, with 26.2 ticks left.
And that proved to be the haymaker to the struggling Aces as Star went away with the narrow 102-98 win.
“I want to be always a threat on the floor,” said Melton moments after the match at the Cuneta Astrodome.
“Everybody’s a great shooter, so I took the shot and it was all a blur, I was telling everybody it happened so quick.”
However, the 2013-2014 All-Rookie Team member was quick to deflect the credit to the whole squad, iterating that the victory was not mainly because of his pivotal triple, but also due to the Hotshots’ effort as a unit.
“I made a few shots, Paul hit some big shots also. It was all team effort. It wasn’t just that shot — it was a team effort for sure,” said the former ASEAN Basketball Heritage Import with Wesports Malaysia Dragons.
Still, the Hotshots reigned victorious, and they will head into the playoffs with enough rhythm. And for Melton, Wednesday night’s win serves as a huge boost to the team’s confidence as they tread on to the next round.
“I think this is a great boost to our confidence.
“Alaska is a tough team, so to be able to handle the business tonight with that type of win, our spirit is lifted in the locker room. And we’re excited to get back in the gym in practice, and take it one game at a time,” said the former Grand Slam champion.
