Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — A loss would’ve ended the Star Hotshot’s Commissioner’s Cup campaign early, but they just refused to fall.
With the conference on the line, the Star Hotshots did away with the San Miguel Beermen’s twice-to-beat advantage with a come-from-behind 108-99 victory in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup on Monday (April 18) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Reinforcement Ricardo Ratliffe paced Star with 33 markers, while Allein Maliksi and PJ Simon chipped in with 23 and 22, respectively.
A collapse in the middle of the second quarter threatened to end the Star’s conference after the Beermen rushed to a 39-26 lead through an Arwind Santos triple.
But the Hotshots would not go down easily and chipped away at the deficit before ultimately regaining the lead, with a Justin Melton bucket, 76-75 with 11:21 left to play.
The two teams would jostle with the lead in the final period before Star finally broke away with a blistering 14-0 run to give them a 101-89 lead.
The Hotshots would retain their lead as they brushed away the Beermen’s twice-to-beat advantage and forcing a decisive second game.
June Mar Fajardo led San Miguel with 24 markers, while Tyler Wilkerson contributed 22 of his own.
After overcoming an early 13-point deficit, Star coach Jason Webb hailed his players’ will to stay alive in the competition.
“These guys fought back. These guys, they never give up and they never give in,” said Webb. “We’re surviving. We’re finding ways to survive.”
The Star Hotshots and the San Miguel Beermen will face off in the deciding fixture on Wednesday (April 20) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
