Ramos gives Hotshots lift in endgame

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

After struggling in the first three quarters, Aldrech Ramos knew he had to contribute to help Star win.

Fortunately for the veteran forward, Paul Lee was there to ease up the pressure and set him up for better shots.

“Masama yung first three quarters ko, buti na lang nung fourth, yung mga open shots ko na-shoot na,” Ramos said.

Ramos drilled two huge threes in the endgame that sealed the victory for the Hotshots as they escaped with a 99-91 win over Rain or Shine on Sunday.

The former Far Eastern U standout said the gravity of the game was like no other, given the aftermath of the blockbuster James Yap-Paul Lee trade in the offseason which further motivated both camps to win.

Ramos finished with 12 points, all coming from threes as he shot 4-of-4 from rainbow country, on top of six rebounds and two assists.

More importantly, it kept the Hotshots winning run alive as they racked their third straight conquest after that 0-2 start.

Ramos said that the winning streak was Star’s main goal going to this game and not any other matter.

“Every game naman, kailangan naming manalo kasi nasa winning streak kami. Kailangang i-continue lang namin yun, di ba? Yun yung motivation namin, manalo,” he said.

Ramos is also hopeful that the Hotshots can ride this momentum, as they now prepare for that all-important duel against Ginebra on Christmas Day at Philippine Arena.

“Hopefully matuloy namin yun kasi may Manila Classico sa Christmas,” he said. “Paghahandaan namin yun. One day break lang kamk then balik na kami sa training.”