Six players scored in double-digits for the Hotshots, who improved to 4-4 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
In the first game, Meralco also won big over Blackwater, 106-83. The Bolts snapped a two-game losing skid and took back the hold of solo leadership with a 6-2 record.
Here are updates around the association in this Saturday edition of the PBA Pass-Through.
Guiao suspended, fined 40K
Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao has been suspended by the league for one game after “yelling invectives at the referees and technical group” during the Elasto Painters’ game against the Mahindra Enforcers last Wednesday.
Guiao was ejected in the first half of that game after complaining about a call. In addition, the Rain or Shine mentor will have to pay a 40,000-peso fine.
Webb on Ratliffe: ‘Right now, he is definitely staying’
Star Hotshots head coach Jason Webb lauded import Ricardo Ratliffe, who helped the team win their third straight match Friday night.
Star leveled their record at 4-4, with Ratliffe undefeated in three games. The import has averaged 24 PPG and 14.3 RPG for the Hotshots.
“You can’t say enough of the amount of work he has put in. He has made us look better. He has proven the accolades and he has proven why he was a winner (abroad),” Webb said.
“Right now, he is definitely staying. That is credit to him.”
The mentor added that with the Hotshots going on a streak, he likes the team’s chances of making the playoffs “much better than when it was 1-4.”
Webb is wary that the Hotshots’ schedule will not be any easier, but he is still pleased because right now, the team can still decide what happens with their fate.
“We finally get a streak going. But it does not get any easier. We get a long break tapos kalaban namin San Miguel and Alaska back to back, the two finalists from last conference. We are going to have our hands full. At least we put ourselves in a situation where we control our destiny,” he said.
Mallari playing through pain
Star wing man Alex Mallari admitted he has been playing through pain, although he does mind as he has missed suiting up for his team after being out for two weeks.
“It felt good again. My foot still kind of hurts but my adrenaline took over so I forgot all about the pain,” Mallari shared.
“It was a freak injury, it was more like a ligament sprain. Every time I put pressure outside my foot, it really hurts. It still kind of hurts to this point. I am just playing through it. I can’t take anymore time off. It is killing me.”
Mallari, who finished with eight points, two rebounds, and two assists Friday, added that he can wait until the off-season for further recovery.
“I think it is one of those injuries which never go away, so you just have to play through it and during the off-season, take some time off and get some rehab on it. For this conference I will play through it.”
