A strong defensive effort helped the Star Hotshots snap out of an alarming four-game slide as they chalked up a hard-earned 104-96 win over the Mahindra Enforcers yesterday in the 41st PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Star survived a torrid shooting by Mahindra’s Karl Dehesa by coming up the needed stops that sealed the team’s third win in nine games.
Dehesa nailed two straight three-pointers that put the Enforcers on top 94-91 with 2:40 left.
Star’s Marc Jean Pingris (15) and John Pinto of Mahindra battle for a rebound.
INQUIRER PHOTO/ KIMBERLY DELA CRUZ
Star then tightened the defensive crews as Mahindra only managed two points from that point on.
A split free throw by Mark Barroca shoved Star within two, 92-94. Then Jake Pascual came up with a steal in the play that led to a fastbreak play, tying the count at 94-all.
Barroca completed his own steal a few seconds later then assisted Alex Mallari, who converted a layup while being fouled.
Mallari sank the bonus free throw, pushing Star to a 97-94 lead with 1:46 to go.
Barroca paced the Hotshots with 26, while Mallari added 20.
The loss spoiled the solid games of Aldrech Ramos and Dehesa, who both submitted career-highs of 26 and 24 points, respectively.
The Enforcer, thus, tasted their seventh loss in nine games.
In the main game, the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters halted the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ three-game win streak via a 95-85 decision.
Talk ‘N Text pocketed its fifth victory in eight games, while Rain or Shne, which came into the match looking to earn a piece of the lead, absorbed its second loss in eight matches.
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