Star played true to form just when it needed it most and beat Talk ‘N Text, 105-93, in the 2015 PBA Governors’ Cup Tuesday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Justin Melton was given significant minutes and he rewarded his head coach Tim Cone his best game of the conference with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field that went with four rebounds.
“We needed to win just to stay in the race for the top eight and right now, we treated tonight like a Game 7. We really need to win a Game 7 tonight and we were able to do it,” said Cone. “And this team, from the first day, whenever their backs are to the wall and whenever they need to win a crucial moment, their focus is uncanny. They can really step up and focus.”
“Justin played great tonight. Just shows the character that he has. He is a really really good player, and given an opportunity he might even be a truly great player in this league and he hasn’t been given that opportunity,” Cone said of Melton.
With the win, the Hotshots traded places with the Tropang Texters and are now in the eighth and last spot for a quarterfinals berth with a 4-5 record.
Melton scored nine of his total points in the fourth quarter where Star broke loose from the seemingly weary Texters, who dropped to 4-6.
Marqus Blakely was all over the floor and wound up with 26 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks while Joe Devance added 19 on 4-of-4 shooting from the 3-point area. CFC