Undermanned Star stuns San Miguel, forces do-or-die

Ricardo Ratliffe. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Undermanned and all, Star dug deep and stunned top seed San Miguel, 108-99 to force a winner-take-all duel in their quarterfinals series in the 2016 Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup Monday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ricardo Ratliffe poured his heart out and registered 33 points and 29 rebounds to give the Hotshots another day to fight.

Allein Maliksi waxed hot from threes with a 5-of-12 shooting to finish with 23 markers and five boards, while Peter June Simon added 22 points and four rebounds in the win.

“It was a super tough game. That was playoff basketball personified, but again, I’m just thankful for the
God-given talent and heart of my guys,” said coach Jason Webb.

Star fought the fancied San Miguel squad without key guys James Yap and Alex Mallari, as well as young guns Ronald Pascual and Jake Pascual.

“Kulang kami but these guys fought back, never gave up and never gave in. As long as may possessions out there, we knew, we had a chance,” said Webb. “We’re finding ways to survive. Credit to the 14 guys in the lineup and my coaching staff.”

From an 89-all deadlock, Star went on a 12-0 barrage to erect a 101-89 advantage with 2:41 left in the clock. The Beermen tried to make their signature comeback buoyed by threes, but their outside game proved to be absent as the Hotshots came away with the victory.

The eight-seed Star can complete the upset on Wednesday, still at the Big Dome.

June Mar Fajardo led San Miguel with 24 points and 13 rebounds, while Tyler Wilkerson added 22 markers and 14 boards. The sweet-shooting import, however, went blank from threes as he missed all of his eight attempts.

The Scores:

STAR 108 – Ratliffe 33, Maliksi 23, Simon 22, Barroca 10, Melton 8, Pingris 5, Reavis 5, Sangalang 2, Cruz 0.
SAN MIGUEL 99 – Fajardo 24, Wilkerson 22, Santos 16, Lassiter 11, David 8, Ross 8, Tubid 6, Cabagnot 2, Espinas 2, Arana 0, De Ocampo 0, Reyes 0.

Quarters: 20-26, 42-53, 74-75, 108-99.