Maliksi catches fire as Star improves chances for 2nd place

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Allein Maliksi had his guns ablaze and hotshooting Star eviscerated Mahindra by 37 points, 124-87, to close in on the last twice-to-beat edge in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup playoffs Wednesday at Cuneta Astrodome.

The former UST winger was on fire from the get-go as he went 7-of-8 from beyond the arc to pace the Hotshots with 33 points.

The win was Star’s fourth straight after a 47-point beatdown of Meralco last Saturday, 120-73. The Hotshots also improved to a 7-4 slate.

However, the Hotshots would need a Rain or Shine win against Alaska in the latter game to formally snare the second-seed which comes with the last twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

Maliksi’s superb sniping allowed Star to start the game on a 22-7 salvo and grabbed a lead as high as 36, 65-24, courtesy of an Ian Sangalang jumper at the 4:34 mark of the second quarter.

Paul Lee also tallied 16 markers, five assists, and three rebounds, while Aldrech Ramos, Jio Jalalon, and Justin Melton all fired 11 points apiece.

Collectively, Star shot 18-of-29 from three for a mercurial 62-percent shooting, while also outhustling Mahindra on the boards, 61-36.

The also-ran Floodbuster fought back with a 13-1 tear to trim the lead to 16, 69-53, early in the third frame, but Maliksi restored order and brought the Hotshots’ advantage back to 40, 110-75, with 4:40 left in the payoff period.

Star extended the lead to 46, 124-78, with a Melton three with 1:24 remaining in the game.

“Again, it’s all about our defense. I challenged my players that I know that we are in the quarterfinals, but going to the playoffs, we need that momentum to end the eliminations with a win and solidify our chances for the top two spot,” said coach Chito Victolero.

Alex Mallari carried Mahindra with 15 points, five assists, and four rebounds, while Nico Salva had 15 markers and five boards as the Floodbuster ended the conference on a 3-8 card.