James Yap. INQUIRER.net PHOTO/Tristan Rafael Tamay
STAR assured its spot in the playoffs after picking apart Barako Bull, 117-89, in the PBA Governor’s Cup Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With a current 5-5 record, the Hotshots sit at seventh seed with one more game in the eliminations against NLEX.
Star exploded into a supernova utterly destroying the Energy with a show worthy of galactic proportions.
It was all Hotshots from the start and the Energy eventually found themselves buried in stardust with the Star shooting an incredible 44 percent from three-point territory, 16-of-36, as opposed to Barako’s 6-of-15.
PJ Simon gave the Hotshots a 34-point lead, 104-70, after hitting back-to-back baskets in the 7:08 mark of the fourth and Star never looked threatened.
Hotshots head coach Tim Cone admitted this is the perfect time to peak, especially with the playoffs a few days away.
“Now’s the time to get our stride,” Cone said. “This is for the playoffs.”
“We cannot take things for granted.”
Marqus Blakely once again played big for Star, finishing with 33 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. James Yap added 17 points and also eight boards.
Liam McMorrow led Barako with 23 points and 12 boards.
Barako finished its campaign with a 6-5 record.
The scores:
Star Hotshots 117 — Blakely 33, Yap 17, Simon 15, Mallari 11, Maliksi 10, Barroca 8, Pingris 6, Devance 6, Pennisi 6, Melton 3, Taha 2, Reavis 0, Gaco 0.
Barako Bull 89 — McMorrow 23, Intal 14, Salva 11, Ababou 11, Hubalde 7, Pascual 4, Wilson 4, Garcia 2, Chua 2, Sorongon 2, Forrester 0, Yeo 0, Salvador 0.
Quarters: 34-20; 58-37; 86-62; 117-89.