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ANTIPOLO CITY—Star didn’t have any problem prolonging another team’s misery as it frustrated Alaska, 101-92, in the PBA Governors’ Cup Friday at Ynares Sports Center here in Antipolo.
The Hotshots improved to 2-0 while extending Alaska’s losing streak to 11 games dating back to the Commissioner’s Cup.
Import Malcolm Hill was Star’s messiah as his 23 seconds of brilliance in the clutch left Alaska dumbfounded.
Hill hit a jumper from the top of the key to give the Hotshots a 97-91 lead with 1:34 left and he did the same move once more from the same spot for the 99-91 lead at the 1:11 mark.
“He’s only 21-years-old, he knows how to win, he knows how to involve his teammates,” said Star head coach Chito Victolero of Hill. “And one more good thing about him is he wants to play defense, and he wants to really be involved in our defensive scheme.”
Alaska’s last glimmer of hope arrived when Kevin Racal converted on a three-point play at the 2:19 mark of the fourth before Hill came in and trampled the Aces’ chances.
Hill had a team-high 28 points to go along 11 points to lead the Hotshots while Paul Lee added 18 points and five assists.
Ian Sangalang came close to a double-double for Star as he put up 16 points and pulled down eight rebounds.
LaDontae Henton led Alaska with a game-high 34 points while Chris Banchero filled up the stat sheets with 21 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.