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Coach Jason Webb finally got that first streak in the bag.
The rookie mentor scored his first back-to-back wins as Star held off Phoenix, 91-75, in the Petron Saturday Special of the 2016 Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Cuneta Astrodome.
“We’re hoping for more firsts,” said Webb, still aware of the uphill climb his team has to go to make it to the top eight.
At 3-4, Hotshots also shed the tag of being the only team not to gain consecutive victories this season.
“It doesn’t get any easier for us. The only thing we accomplished is that we got three wins, but there’s a bucketload of teams that has three wins. We got to recover in some way, to continue to win to erase that four losses that we are carrying right now,” said Webb.
Ricardo Ratliffe tallied 21 points and 17 rebounds, while Peter June Simon chipped in 17 markers.
James Yap also had 13 points, but the story of the game was Star’s defense as it limited Phoenix to just 32-percent shooting from the field.
“As a group, we actually talked that the only way we’re going to win is through our defensive effort. This is the first time we limited a team under 80 points,” said Webb. “Even though we were down in the first half, I really felt that we were very solid defensively and credit that to the guys and the sacrifice they put in. They didn’t quit.”
Ratliffe starred in a scathing third quarter run for the Hotshots, dropping 10 in the period to outscore the Fuel Masters, 28-10, and turn a 37-44 halftime deficit to a 65-54 edge.
Kevinn Pinkney led the Fuel Masters (2-4) with 21 points, 15 boards, and three blocks, while Chico Lanete had 12.
The Scores:
STAR 91 – Ratliffe 21, Simon 17, Yap 13, Barroca 8, Reavis 8, Pingris 7, Sangalang 7, Maliksi 6, J. Pascual 4, Cruz 0, Melton 0.
PHOENIX 75 – Pinkney 21, Lanete 12, Intal 10, Baracael 7, Garcia 6, Urbiztondo 6, Wilson 6, Monfort 4, Pennisi 3, Brondial 0.
Quarters: 22-19, 37-44, 65-54, 91-75.