The Star Hotshots conceded it was no match against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel during its loss in Game 7 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series, but expressed satisfaction in the progress they had made during the season-opening conference.
Star surprised everyone by taking Games 1 and 2 and was ahead 3-2 in the best-of-seven series when Ginebra won the next two matches to arrange a title showdown with San Miguel Beer starting tomorrow.
Paul Lee, acquired for longtime star James Yap in a trade with Rain or Shine, put a fitting description to Ginebra’s masterful defensive effort.
“Parang di ko alam gagawin ko e,” Lee said after averaging just 7.6 points on 27-percent shooting in the last five games of the series. He scored 17.5 points in Games 1 and 2.
“Para akong pusa na na-corner sa gilid. Talagang lahat ng papasukin ko naka-abang sila lahat. Siguro yun ang kailangan ko gawin para sa next conference, maging ready. After the first two games, talagang humirap yung basketball para sa’kin.”
Marc Pingris, who exemplified Star’s toughness in the series with his hard work in the shaded lane, said the Hotshots did their best, but Ginebra proved to be the better team.
“Talagang mas agresibo sila, then yung defense nila,” said Pingris. “Talagang ginawa namin yung sinabi ni coach (Chito Victolero), pero para sa Ginebra talaga.”
If there’s any consolation to the bitter defeat it that Star gained many positives after a conference that had low expectations.
Coming off a disappointing 2016 season – the first since Tim Cone’s departure for Ginebra – the Hotshots struggled to find consistency in the first seven, going 3-4. But then Star racked up four straight victories at the close of the eliminations before sweeping Phoenix in the quarters
Then Star stunned Ginebra and Cone with those two straight wins, but couldn’t protect its series lead.
“I’m very happy and I’m very proud of my players kasi three months pa lang kami magkakasama, maybe four months. Pero yan ang pinakita nilang character,” said Victolero.
“Kahit ngayon pa lang kami magkakasama, na-embrace nila yung system, na-embrace nila yung isa’t-isa. Yun ang madadala namin sa mga next conferences.”
The lesson was costly, but was well-earned.