Pasay City – The Star Hotshots claimed their fifth victory in the 2017 PBA Commissioners’ Cup against Blackwater Elite, 96-90, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Down by five entering the fourth quarter, the Hotshots relied on their teamwork and balanced scoring to overcome an upset from Blackwater by outscoring them 31-20.
Tony Mitchell led the Hotshots with 17 points, fifteen boards and two blocks but committed six turnovers and fouled out in the final minutes of the game. Player of the game honors was given to rookie Jio Jalalon who came up with 13 points, five rebounds and two steals.
The Elite had a hot start from veteran KG Canaleta as he scored 16 of his 27 points in the first quarter but was not able to contribute in the final quarter. Blackwater import Stephen Smith finished with 22 points and a monstrous twenty-nine boards to go with six dimes and three blocks.
Blackwater ties Mahindra with the worst win-lose record in the league at 1-6 and will try to claw back into the standings when they face the NLEX Road Warriors on May 3, Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
On the other hand, Star Hotshots will be travelling to Batangas City on May 6, Saturday to battle with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
The scores:
STAR 96 – Mitchell 17, Lee 15, Jalalon 13, Melton 10, Maliksi 10, Sangalang 9, Barroca 9, Reavis 6, Dela Rosa 4, Simon 3, Javier 0, Brondial 0.
BLACKWATER 90 – Canaleta 27, Smith 22, DiGregorio 11, Pascual 8, Sena 8, Cruz 6, Pinto 4, Gamalinda 2, Cervantes 2, Buenafe 0.
Quarterscores: 21-23, 48-42, 65-70, 96-90.
Story by: Ernest Hernandez / Photo by: Peter Baltazar