CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/PBA IMAGES
Star capped off Kia’s horrendous showing in the PBA Governors’ Cup with a 128-81 drubbing Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Hotshots, who are on their way to the quarterfinals, improved to 6-4 while the Picanto failed to win a single game in the conference and signed off with a 0-11 card.
The second quarter was essentially one big scoring run for the Hotshots, who overpowered the Picanto 33-12 to take a 65-36 lead in the second half.
Despite handing Kia its worst loss in franchise history, Star head coach Chito Victolero downplayed their dominance said the game just went into their favor.
“Actually those kinds of things just happens,” said Victolero. “We have a good mindset and we play together as a team. Both the offense and defense were rolling tonight.”
“We needed this game very badly in order for us to have a slim chance for the top four and we know that Kia won’t give this game that easily.”
Star put Kia on a vice grip, holding down the Picanto on a paltry 32 percent shooting, 30-of-95, while shooting on a better 60 percent clip, 48-of-80.
The Hotshots also outrebounded the Picanto 62-41.
Kristoffer Acox led the Hotshots with 19 points and 15 rebounds while Jio Jalalon and PJ Simon had 15 and 13 points, respectively.
Marc Pingris added 12 points and nine rebounds and upped his career total points to 5,001 on a fast break dunk with 7.7 seconds left in the game in what became as the match’s final field goal.
Gerron Johnson had 29 points on 9-of-28 shooting to lead Kia.
