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[av_heading heading=’ Star Hotshots rallies past Alaska, 101-92 ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Malcolm Hill made a good impression of himself as he towed Star Hotshots to a 101-92 victory over Alaska Aces in the 2017 Oppo PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Tapped to replace the ineffective Cimeon Bowers, Hill immediately made an impact with double-double 28 points and 11 rebounds for the Hotshots, which has tied Meralco Bolts at second place with 2-0 win-loss record.
Paul Lee chipped in with 18 markers, while Ian Sangalang contributed 16 points for the Hotshots, which went down by as much as nine points in the opening half before turning things around in the last two quarters.
In the first game, TNT Katropa leaned on its local crew in the endgame to prevent a last minute rally from the KIA Picanto to open its Governors’ Cup campaign with a 106-96 victory.
After seeing its 17-point lead being cut down to 96-91, Katropa got back-to-back hits from Moala Tautuaa to increase the lead to 100-91. Free throws by Jayson Castro and Jeth Troy Rosario prevented the Picanto from coming even closer.
Reinforcement Michael Craig Jr. debuted with triple-double 21 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists, while Rosario and Castro added 18 and 16 points, respectively, for the Katropa.
Trailing 46-37 late in the second quarter, the Hotshots began its run in the third frame to finally snag the lead at 57-55 on a triple by Hill. The Aces made it a seesaw affair but the Hotshots managed to take the lead at the end of the period at 74-71.
The Hotshots continued its dominance in the fourth frame as it build its largest lead at 93-85 on hits by Hill and Sangalang. The Aces threatened to within 95-91 but back-to-back hits by Hill sealed the win for the Hotshots.
Import LaDontae Henton top-scored with 34 points, while Chris Banchero added 21 markers for the Aces, which slid down to 0-3 win-loss mark and at the same time suffering its 11th straight defeat since the Commissioner’s Cup.
BOX SCORES:
FIRST GAME:
TNT 106 – Craig 21, Rosario 18, Castro 16, Williams 11, Hernandez 8, Pogoy 8, Semerad 7, Tautuaa 7, De Ocampo 6, Carey 4, Garcia 0, Seigle 0, Tamsi 0
KIA 96 – Cummings 27, Celda 14, Revilla 8, Salva 8, Paniamogan 8, Corpuz 5, Elorde 5, Khobuntin 4, Galanza 4, Camson 4, Jaime 3, Nimes 3, Deutchman 3, Yee 0
Quarterscores: 25-21, 53-44, 79-71, 106-96.
SECOND GAME:
STAR 101 – Hill 28, Lee 18, Sangalang 16, Barroca 7, Simon 7, Reavis 6, Maliksi 6, Jalalon 4, Dela Rosa 4, Melton 3, Ramos 2, Brondial 0.
ALASKA 92 – Henton 34, Banchero 21, Manuel 9, Thoss 7, Baclao 6, Casio 5, Racal 4, Enciso 4, Exciminiano 2, Mendoza 0, Hontiveros 0.
Quarterscores: 27-29, 48-51, 74-71, 101-92./PN
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