Be it a close game or a lopsided one, the Star Hotshots, sure, know how to win.
Pushed to another tightly-contested match, Star showed composure once again and delivered the game’s most important plays to escape Barangay Ginebra, 91-89, and took a decisive 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Saturday.
After breezing past their opponents on the way to the semis, the third-seeded Hotshots engaged sister-team Ginebra in another nip-and-tuck affair. And like their victory in Game One, the former proved steadier down the stretch and turned to their stingy defense to take the win.
Withseven seconds leftand Ginebra still knocking on the doors, Star pulled off a great defensive gem as they forced latter’s Japeth Aguilar and LA Tenorio into back-to-back misses from beyond the arc before allowing rookie Kevin Ferrer scored the final point of the game as time expired.
“It’s about heart, desire, effort and aggressiveness,” said Star head coach Chito Victolero.
“We knew Ginebra would come out strong. We knew Ginebra won’t give up. But our guys also didn’t give up. They’re prepared physically and mentally,” he added.
Game Three is on Monday at the same venue.
Paul Lee, who also slammed the door for Ginebra the last time out,had another heroic performance for the Hotshots, finishing with 17 points, including the basket that gave Star a four-point lead with 58 seconds left, and five rebounds.
Rafi Reavis also played big for Star down the stretch as his pressure-packed free throws with 10 seconds left on the clock pushed Ginebra to stay at the bay. He had nine points built on seven freebies and a jumper.
Seventh-seeded Ginebra seemed to finally get the rhythm that allowed them to reach this far as they successfully clawed their way back from early 10-point down and stole the lead, 85-83, midway through the fourth.
But then, Star’s backcourt trio of Lee, Justin Melton and Jio Jalalon took matters into their hands as their hustle on both ends of the floor put stop on Ginebra’s late-game surge.
Melton and Jalalon combined for 20 points, and hit five of Star’s total nine 3-pointers, off the bench.
Unfortunately for Ginebra, Ferrer’s breakout game and Aguilar and Scottie Thompson’s solid performances were put into naught as their teammates failed to make most of their chances at the homestretch.
Ferrer finished with game-high 25 points, while Aguilar recorded double-double on 16 points and 15 rebounds for Ginebra. Thompson added 17 points, 10 boards and six assists.
Allein Maliksi put on a show early, scoring 10 of his 14 points in the first half as Star led 50-45 at the break. –Julian Rikki Reyes