After being limited to 62 and 86 points in their last two games, the league’s most potent offense finally found their groove back.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, the league’s stingiest defense, could not contain the hot Hotshots in the second half as Star took an 89-80 Game Five win, Friday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“It’s all about team effort. My players refused to lose,” first-year Star head coach Chito Victolero said. “We gathered together and talked to each other that we will have no distractions. I’m happy that the players committed sa gusto naming mangyari.”
39-year-old Rafi Reavis, who has made a resurgence in this series, powered Star on both ends. He a game-high 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field while grabbing 13 rebounds and swatting away two shots.
“He’s our anchor together with [Marc] Pingris. He is long and quick so he is very important to our system,” Victolero remarked about the Star veteran.
Behind Reavis and Allein Maliksi, who combined for 14 third quarter points, the Hotshots were able to unleash a huge third quarter spurt that gave Star a double-digit edge. In addition, they were able to stifle Ginebra during that frame, allowing just 10 points during the frame for a 71-55 lead.
“After the halftime break, sabi ko lang sa mga players ko we need to start strong. Lagi kasi kami slow start sa third quarter. Good thing they responded to the challenge,” Victolero said as Ginebra shot just 4-of-16 during the quarter.
“We are number two in defense. We have the materials to play defense. Duduguin ka talaga sa opensa kaya kailangan namin maibalik depensa namin. We need to be consistent with it,” he furthered.
Ginebra though had some fight in them. Behind the duo dubbed as the Fast and the Furious, the Gin Kings made a huge fourth quarter rally that turned a 74-57 lead with 9:34 left to an 80-87 deficit 7 minutes and 14 seconds later. Jayjay Helterbrand knocked down two triples during a late 9-2 rally while an and-one play by Mark Caguioa sent the crowd into a raucous.
However, even if the Gin Kings were able to hold Star to zero field goals during the last 2:53 of the game, the two heroes of Ginebra missed their last four shot attempts. Free throws by Paul Lee with six ticks remaining sealed the 3-2 series lead for the Hotshots.
Mark Barroca chipped in 12 markers and seven dimes, stepping up for Paul Lee who was hampered in foul trouble together with Pingris.
“You see, Paul Lee and Marc Pingris were still focused even if they were in foul trouble. I told them to commit and not to understand anything outside of the playing court.” Victolero said as Lee still finished with 10 points despite playing just 29 minutes while Pingris grabbed seven rebounds in just 23 minutes of action.
Besides shooting a series-high 48 percent from the field, the Hotshots also had their way in the paint, gaining a 47-37 rebounding edge. Star’s 18 offensive rebounds led to 24 second chance points.
Japeth Aguilar was the only Gin King in double-figures with 13 points.
Game Six is set to be played on Sunday, February 19 at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Scores:
Star (89) – Reavis 17, Barroca 12, Lee 10, Maliksi 10, Simon 8, Brondial 8, Melton 7, Pingris 6, Sangalang 5, Jalalon 2, Ramos 2, Dela Rosa 2.
Ginebra (80) – Aguilar 13, Mercado 9, Ellis 9, Caguioa 9, Helterbrand 6, Cruz 6, Taha 5, Thompson 5, Tenorio 5, Ferrer 4, Mariano 4, Marcelo 3, Devance 2.
Quarterscores: 21-22, 49-45, 71-55, 89-80
