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Star needed a huge lift in the fourth period to stave off Blackwater, 96-90, and snap its two-game losing skid Saturday in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Mall of Asia Arena.
“I’m very happy, especially on our defense because we reviewed all the games and I showed them the difference in our wins and losses. They saw the difference and they committed in our defense and it showed on our energy,” said coach Chito Victolero, whose side improved to a 5-2 record.
The Hotshots fired a killer 16-2 start in the fourth quarter, punctuated by a Tony Mitchell putback to overturn a 70-65 deficit at the end of the third frame to a commanding 81-72 edge with 6:52 to play.
Mark Cruz still tried to bring the Elite within six with a trey, 92-86, in the final 38.5 ticks, but Paul Lee calmly sank two freebies, 94-86, with 31.8 seconds left to seal the game shut.
Mitchell led his crew with 17 points, 15 rebounds, and two blocks as he came off the bench for Star, while Lee added 15 markers, five boards, and five assists.
Jio Jalalon chipped in 13 points and five rebounds, Justin Melton got 10 markers, three dimes, and two boards, and Allein Maliksi had 10 in the win.
The Hotshots also survived a superb shooting night from Niño Canaleta, who fired 27 points on a scintillating 7-of-12 shooting from threes before going ice cold in the fourth quarter.
Greg Smith added 20 markers, 27 boards, six assists, and three blocks for Blackwater, which fell to a 1-6 slate.
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