The Purefoods Star Hotshots have been living up to their moniker as of late.
Coming off a 47-point drubbing of Meralco last Saturday, the Purefoods Star Hotshots posted another wide-margin victory at the expense of Mahindra Floodbuster, 124-87, in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The playoff-bound Hotshots wrapped up their elimination round campaign with a four-game winning streak to improve to a 7-4 card. Meanwhile, the already-ousted Floodbuster, who played without the injured Russel Escoto, bitterly concluded the round with a dismal 3-8 slate.
“Again, it’s all about our defense. We prepared hard for this game kasi chinallenge ko yung mga players ko na I know we are in the quarterfinals but we need to gain momentum,” said Hotshots coach Chito Victolero.
Allain Maliksi raised his career-high once more with 33 markers on 11-of-14 shooting, 7-of-8 coming from the three-point area. Paul Lee backed him up with 16 markers, three boards, and five assists.
Justin Melton, Aldrech Ramos, and Jio Jalalon all scored 11. Center Ian Sangalang almost had a double-double of 10 points and eight rebounds to round up all scoring leaders for Star. Marc Pingris, despite scoring just 2, had 10 boards.
The Hotshots waxed hot right from the get-go, erecting the first half’s widest gap at 36, 65-29, after a Sangalang lay-up in the 4:34 mark of the second quarter. Star then ended the half with a score of 68-40, which serves as the highest output in a half by any team this conference.
The Floodbuster were able to trim the deficit to just sixteen, 69-53, after a 13-1 run led by Nico Salva early in the third canto. But Star answered right back with a 19-5 spree of their own, capped by a Maliksi trey off a Lee assist, to stretch the gap to 30, 88-58, with 2:10 left in the frame.
“Sinabi ko lang sa kanila na yung Mahindra, nakakabalik yan e. Slow start kami ng third quarter at maganda lang na naka-recover kami,” added Victolero.
Star did not stop from there even in the game’s final 12 minutes. With their hot shooting still going, the Hotshots, behind back-to-back triples from Alvin Abundo and Justin Melton, were able to post the game’s biggest lead at 46, 124-78, with 2:09 to go, to bury Mahindra for good.
Mahindra had been Victolero’s team before going into the Star franchise. Since they were his former studets, Victolero hopes for the best for the developing squad.
“Sinabi ko lang na good luck at bawi na lang sa next conference. Ang importante ay mag-improve sila,” wished Victolero for his former team.
The Floodbuster were led by the 15 markers of Nico Salva and Alex Mallari. Mark Yee added 14 points. Jason Ballesteros flirted with a double-double of six points and eight boards.
Star shot a blistering 47-of-88 from the floor, with 18-of-29 coming from beyond the arc. Their 53 percent clip were powered by 30 team assists. They also reigned victorious in the rebounding department, 61-36.
Star now await the result of the Alaska-Rain or Shine tilt to know their seeding.
The Scores:
Star (124) – Maliksi 33, Lee 16, Melton 11, Ramos 11, Jalalon 11, Sangalang 10, Abundo 8, Barroca 7, Brondial 6, Reavis 5, Pingris 2, Javier 2, Dela Rosa 2, De Leon 0.
Mahindra (87) – Salva 15, Mallari 15, Yee 14, Paniamogan 9, Revilla 7, Ballesteros 6, Teng 6, Celda 5, Apinan 4, Elorde 2, Eriobu 2, Galanza 2, Nimes 0.
Quarterscores: 41-19, 68-40, 93-65, 124-87
