Game Today
(Mall of Asia Arena)
7 p.m. – TNT vs San Miguel
(SMB leads series 1-0)
Beermen gun for 2-0 lead vs TNT.
The Star Hotshots once again defied the odds behind clutch baskets by Paul Lee and another hardworking performance by Marc Pingris to hold off Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 78-74, and take the early lead at the start of their best-of-seven semifinal series in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Lee’s triple with 3:41 remaining in the fourth shattered a 71-all tie, but his biggest shot came with 26 seconds remaining when he used a Pingris screen before spinning off Japeth Aguilar and Sol Mercado to score a one-handed bank shot for the game’s final tally.
Star’s resiliency was credited mostly to Pingris, who set up scores through five consecutive post plays during a stretch of the final period while anchoring the team’s defense that left Ginebra scoreless in its final four possessions.
Coach Chito Victolero felt like he had won a prized fight as the Hotshots, who were never expected to reach this point entering the conference, won their seventh straight game and gain a headstart against the favored Ginebra side.
This time, Star didn’t need a lopsided victory with its high-octane offense like in the last six wins. Instead, it was their trademark defense that helped them grind out a low-scoring battle.
“It was all about our team effort and our team defense,” Victolero said. “I told them that we need that mental toughness in order for us to win. Yun talaga ang pinaghahandaan namin, having that proper mindset.”
Lee showed why Star acquired him in an offseason trade with Rain or Shine and finished with 18 points, nine in the final period even as Pingris was all hustle on his way to nine points, 12 rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks in 35 minutes.
Marc Barroca added 17 points while rookie guard Jio Jalalon chipped in six points and nine rebounds for the Hotshots, who will try to gain a 2-0 lead against Ginebra when the two sides meet tomorrow afternoon at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Priding itself on defense, Star forced Ginebra to 24 turnovers while closing it at 38-37 at halftime after trailing by a high of 10 in the second quarter.
Ginebra’s biggest lead came at 24-14, but its inconsistent play before the break allowed Star to close in and eventually turn the game around.
Chris Ellis topscored for Ginebra with 12 points, but Japeth Aguilar struggled by going 4-of-13 from the floor despite 11 points.
LA Tenorio, coming off a 31-point performance in the quarterfinal victory over Alaska last Tuesday, could only produce eight points as he missed 8-of-11 shots from the field.
Meanwhile, with their confidence continuing to soar, the defending champion San Miguel Beermen look to repeat over TNT KaTropa and gain a 2-0 lead tonight in their best-of-seven semifinal series at the Mall of Asia Arena.
There’s seems to be no signs of slowing down for the Beermen after leaning on a strong start aided by their outside shooting in winning the series opener, 111-98, two days ago at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Coach Leo Austria, who described his team’s near-perfect performance as if they were like playing an orchestra, said that San Miguel is on a different level.
“I’m happy to see them na talagang nag-eenjoy sila sa game. I think it’s because they know how to win, they understand how to win at alam na alam na nila kung anu ang gagawin ng isa’t-isa,” Austria said.
Austria’s sentiments were shared by veteran forward Arwind Santos, adding that the familiarity with one another has made them play beautiful music.
“Ang maganda dito sa team namin, nag-eenjoy kami,” said Santos. “Kung baga, comfortable na kami sa isa’t-isa, may tiwala kami sa isa’t-isa, buong-buo na kami. Kung baga sa pamilya, may kusa.”
While San Miguel’s play has resulted in 11 straight victories, Austria admitted there are still kinks on their armor. Whether TNT could find a gambit to expose them, he added, remains to be seen.
Scores:
STAR 78 – Lee 18, Barroca 17, Pingris 9, Sangalang 8, Maliksi 7, Jalalon 6, Reavis 5, Melton 5, Dela Rosa 2, Ramos 1, Brondial 0.
GINEBRA 74 – Aguilar 11, Ellis 12, Cruz 10, Mercado 10, Tenorio 8, Thompson 7, Ferrer 7, Marcelo 5, Mariano 4.
Quarters: 14-19; 37-38; 60-58; 78-74.