James Yap of the Star Hotshots is hounded by GlobalPort’s Stanley Pringle.(PBA IMAGES)
Game today
Araneta Coliseum
7 p.m.- San Miguel vs. Meralco
There was no 50-point beatdown this time but the defending champions Star Hotshots came out on top just the same as they nipped the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 101-94, to advance to the semifinal round of the 40th PBA Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum, last night.
The Hotshots overhauled a twice-to-win disadvantage, following up their eye-popping 126-73 win last Friday with the hard-earned win to book their 10th semifinal appearance in 12 conferences under head coach Tim Cone.
Star will next face the Alaska Aces in a best-of-five semifinal series starting Wednesday.
The Hotshots lost a 21-point lead but recovered with a torrid in the fourth en route to tallying their first win in six twice-to-win situations.
“I knew it’s gonna be tough and it was. Credit goes to coach Pido Jarencio for making the turnaround after the blowout game Friday and even after they fell behind by 21 in the first half in this game,” Cone said.
“They kept fighting. They showed tremendous resilience. (Stanley) Pringle was awesome. He took over and we had no answer for him.”
Import Marqus Blakely piled up 16 rebounds, 15 points, 11 assists, four steals and three blocks in a solid all-around game.
Blakely conspired with Alex Mallari, James Yap, Mark Barroca and Marc Pingris in a 15-3 attack that saw the Hotshots turning a 74-all standoff into an 89-77 lead late in the fourth.
“This is not easily done because it’s so hard. But I’m blessed with a special group of guys wanting to get special things,” said Cone.
Jarrid Famous collected 38 points and 21 rebounds to lead the Batang Pier, who bungled a golden opportunity to salvage a first-ever trip to the semifinals.
THE SCORES
STAR (101) – Mallari 17, Yap 17, Blakely 15, Simon 14, Devance 13, Taha 8, Barroca 6, Pingris 6, Melton 5, Pennisi 0.
GLOBALPORT (94)- Famous 38, Pringle 16, Romeo 15, Krayem 9, Jensen 7, Buenafe 6, Kramer 3, Semerad 0, Miranda 0.QUARTERSCORES: 21-16, 49-40, 70-65, 101-94.