Blackwater’s playoff hopes are no longer at their hands
The battle-tested Star Hotshots completely had its way against the young Blackwater Elite in the final frame, sending their opponent to the brink of elimination after a 111-95 victory, Wednesday evening at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Blackwater finish its elimination round campaign with a 5-6 record and will have to hope that the Star Hotshots, who climb to 5-4, lose both of its remaining games.
“I told them, ito ang start ng playoff namin. I know the boys are mentally tough, they are veterans,” first-year Star head coach Chito Victolero said. “They know the situation and even in practice, they play with a sense of urgency.”
Allein Maliksi more than doubled his scoring norms this outing, finishing the game with 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting to go along with five rebounds. And the 29-year-old’s point came timely just as when Blackwater was finding their groove.
“I talked to Allein after our Alaska game. He is challenging himself. I told him that he has a go-signal to shoot,” Victolero shared. “Now, he is stepping up especially nung naghahabol yung Blackwater, siya yung nag-step up sa amin.”
Maliksi heated up in the third frame, scoring 12 points — including a timely triple with 2:35 remaining when Blackwater cut the lead to just 71-68.
Paul Lee then picked it up in the final frame, scoring 13 of his 15 points to torch the Elite. The Gilas Pilipinas pool member knocked down three triples in the frame.
“Walang kuwestiyon sa abilidad nila mag-step up. They are veterans and they are ready,” Victolero said about Lee.
Roi Sumang, who scored all but a point in his 13-point outing in the final frame, tried to rally his team back. However, consecutive baskets by Rome Dela Rosa, Rafi Reavis, and Mark Barroca — in that order — with 4:03 left extended Star’s lead to a game-high 21 points, 107-87.
Justin Melton added 15 markers off the bench for Star while Ian Sangalang almost picked up a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.
Star shot an efficient 50 percent from the field and knocked down 16 triples in the game. In addition, they were able to out-rebound the Elite, 50-43, that led to a 22-11 advantage in second chance points.
Art dela Cruz paced Blackwater with 23 points. However, he was only allowed to score just six points in the final 24 minutes of the game. Nard Pinto added 13 points while James Sena grabbed 11 rebounds.
Star will play its penultimate game of the elimination round on Saturday, January 28. They face the Meralco Bolts at the Ynares Arena in Antipolo City.
The Scores:
Star (111) – Maliksi 24, Lee 15, Melton 15, Jalalon 14, Sangalang 10, Barroca 8, Ramos 7, Dela Rosa 6, Pingris 5, Reavis 4, Brondial 1.
Blackwater (95) – Dela Cruz 23, Sumang 13, Pinto 13, Buenafe 10, Aguilar 10, Sena 9, Belo 6, Miranda 5, Gamalinda 4, Cervantes 2, Pascual 0, Ababou 0.
Quarterscores: 23-29, 59-45, 78-70, 111-95.
