Ross, SMB guards outplay Star counterparts in Game 2

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Chris Ross has no qualms with San Miguel winning by the slightest of margin, 77-76, in Game 2 of the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against Star on Monday.

“That’s what the playoffs is all about, right? Win by any means, ugly win, big win, it doesn’t matter. You just have to win,” Ross said.

The Beermen failed to sustain their hot start and lost a 16-point lead early in the third period, 46-30, as the Hotshots pulled ahead, 60-58.

That continued in the fourth quarter, where San Miguel was scoreless in the final 3:42 but was fortunate enough to overcome Star after Paul Lee muffed a potential game-winning floater in the waning seconds.

Ross took responsibility of his team’s poor showing in the third period, where the Hotshots outscored the Beermen, 30-14.

“It was kind of on me as the point guard and as the leader that we came out like that in the third quarter. They’re a good team and I think they won eight straight, so we knew they would fight back, but we were able to right the ship and were able to weather the storm,” he said.

After two games, Ross also shared that he’s enjoying the backcourt duel with him, Alex Cabagnot and Marcio Lassiter going up against Star’s slew of guards in Lee, Mark Barroca, Jio Jalalon, Peter June Simon, and Justin Melton.

“We’re a guard-oriented team also. We have really good guards, and we have really good bigs, so we’re well-rounded. Them with Ricardo (Ratliffe) gives them a new element, and he almost had 40 rebounds today so he plugs the middle for them and makes them a complete team,” he said.

Ross admits Game 1 was an eye-opener for the Beermen’s guard trio, and they all felt that it’s up to them to tilt the favor to their side if they want to come out victorious in the series.

“After the last game, me, Marcio, and Alex felt that if we play better, we would win,” he said.

And true to Ross’ word, they did.

Ross did it all with 10 points, four assists, three rebounds, three blocks, and two steals, Cabagnot went for 10 markers, seven boards, and three dimes, while Lassiter shot 3-of-6 from threes to wind up with 11 points, five rebounds, four assists, and a steal.

“We really took the challenge and we all played better than we did last game, and today, we ended up getting the win,” said the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

San Miguel and Star break the 1-1 stalemate on Wednesday in Game 3 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.