STAR gave Jason Webb his first win in just his second game as head coach, while its former bench tactician, the multi-titled Tim Cone, got off to a losing start after the Hotshots crushed the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 86-78, last night in the main game of the 41st PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots spoiled the debut of Cone with Ginebra behind a scorching start, never looking back after taking an early 37-13 lead.
Star went on to lead by as many as 31 points, 44-13, and Ginebra couldn’t overcome the huge deficit, allowing the Hotshots to barge into the win column after dropping their opening game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last Wednesday, 87-96.
James Yap spearheaded the blowout win by firing 19 points, while Mark Barroca and Peter June Simon added 12 markers each.
The towering duo of Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar were the only bright spots for the Kings as they scored 28 and 26 points, respectively. New recruit Joe Devance, a former Star stalwart, scored just a point.
Mark Caguioa was a non-factor for the Kings as he struggled for just four points, while veteran playmaker LA Tenorio failed to score a single point.
Rain or Shine, on the other hand, pocketed their second straight win with an easy 108-94 triumph over the Mahindra Enforcers.
Rookie Maverick Ahanmisi rewarded Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao for putting him in the starting unit as he finished with team-high-tying 14 points.
Cebuano big man JR Quinahan had another solid game coming off the bench, scoring 14 markers on a six-for-seven shooting from the field.
Jeff Chan, Jericho Cruz and Beau Belga also scored in twin digits and combined for 33 markers.
Karl Dehesa topped Mahindra with 20 points.
Mahindra playing-coach Manny Pacquiao made some sort of a milestone after he scored his first-ever field goal in the league.
Pacquiao made the basket over Rain or Shine guard Chris Tiu from the right corner, a shot that put the Enforcers on top, 27-25, early in the second period.