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Star steamrolled Rain or Shine, 118-82, to inch closer to a semifinals berth in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Monday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ricardo Ratliffe powered the Hotshots, who racked up their sixth straight victory dating back to the elimination round, with 29 points and eight rebounds through three quarters.
“I think we have a proper mindset. We focused on our defense, we have a defensive scheme against their players, the important players like James (Yap) and their import (Duke Crews),” said Star head coach Chito Victolero, whose defensive strategy did limit James Yap to only five points. “The level of our game, that was our challenge to my players. This is the playoffs, let’s go to the next level.”
“I’m very happy that everybody stepped up in their individual mindset. I think the focus and desire of the players, they responded right away to my challenge.”
From just a three-point game, Star stretched its lead to 21, 61-40, at the half, 31, 95-64, at the end of the third period before it swelled to 114-73 in the fourth where the Hotshots didn’t even need the services of Ratliffe.
Paul Lee added a near double-double with nine points and 10 assists against his former team ROS.
The Elasto Painters leaned on their import Duke Crews, who finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds.