PBA IMAGES.
Star can now breathe a sigh of relief.
In danger of missing the 2016 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup playoffs, the Hotshots made sure there would be no let-ups and turned back a pesky Blackwater squad, 102-89, Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After squandering a chance to punch a ticket to the quarterfinals against Barako Bull last Sunday, Star learned from its mistakes and secured the all-important win, closing the elimination round with a 4-7 slate and booking a quarterfinal seat in the process.
But it wasn’t a walk in the park for the Hotshots, who saw their 14-point cushion dwindle down to four, 78-74 early in the fourth quarter. Fortunately for them, Mark Barroca was there to ignite a 10-0 run to restore the 14-point edge, 88-74 with 8:49 left in the payoff period.
Peter June Simon carried the fight for Star and lead his squad with a game-high 26 points on a 5-of-6 shooting from threes that went with four assists, while Allein Maliksi finished with 13 markers off the bench in a balanced attack for the Hotshots.
Marc Pingris had 12 points and seven rebounds, even as Alex Mallari got 11 markers, four boards, and four assists in the win.
“Lets admit it that we didn’t sign up to make the quarterfinals. We wanted more,” said a relieved coach Jason Webb. “Though it’s going to be super difficult, we put ourselves in this situation.”
Webb acknowledges the tall task ahead, more so that his squad hasn’t racked up consecutive victories this conference.
“We hadn’t had a win streak the whole year, so if there’s any time for it to come, sana ngayon na,” he said. “It’s gonna be very difficult and we haven’t found a way to win back-to-back games. Now, we have to win three straight to make it to the semis. It won’t be easy, and I don’t know if it has been done, but it’s a different course for the Star Hotshots.”
With the defeat, Blackwater will brace for a win-or-go home tussle against Mahindra on Sunday. Both teams carry an identical 2-8 record, and the victor of the match will clinch the final seat in the playoffs.
Carlo Lastimosa paced the Elite with 18 points and four rebounds, whole Art dela Cruz shot 17 markers.
JP Erram also had a double-double with 10 points and 16 boards in the loss.