Hot start pushes Star past TNT

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Leaning on its superb start, Star built enough cushion to hold off TNT, 88-77, Sunday night in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ian Sangalang led the Hotshots’ balanced attack, finishing with 14 points and six rebounds, while Aldrech Ramos added 13 markers and seven boards to snap their two-game losing skid.

Allein Maliksi also had 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field, while Paul Lee got 10 markers.

Star asserted itself early, erecting a 15-4 advantage midway through the first quarter which grew to as high as 19, 59-40, early in the fourth thanks to a Ramos triple.

Jayson Castro tried to will the KaTropa back in the game, slicing the lead to its lowest at seven, 84-77, with 1:13 to go, but Rafi Reavis tipped in Lee’s three-point miss in the final minute to put the game to away.

“The mindset was our defense against their offense. Our goal was to limit them under 90 points and our game plan worked,” said coach Chito Victolero.

The win put Star in a five-team logjam in fifth place with TNT, Alaska, Ginebra, and Phoenix, all carrying identical 4-4 records.

Ranidel de Ocampo topped TNT with 21 points and three rebounds, while Castro got 16 markers, four assists, and three boards in the loss.

The scores:

STAR 88 – Sangalang 14, Maliksi 13, Ramos 13, Lee 10, Jalalon 9, Barroca 8, Pingris 7, Reavis 5, Dela Rosa 4, Melton 3, Simon 2, Brondial 0.

TNT 77 – De Ocampo 21, Castro 16, Pogoy 7, Rosario 7, Ganuelas-Rosser 6, Tautuaa 6, Williams 4, Rosales 4, Fonacier 3, Reyes 3, Carey 0, Golla 0.

Quarters: 20-12, 56-39, 73-62, 88-77.