Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Star Hotshots demolished the Blackwater Elite, 111-95, to strengthen their postseason bid on Wednesday evening at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Allein Maliksi had a productive outing for the Hotshots with 26 points and five rebounds.
Justin Melton ignited a hot outside shooting for Star to outscore the Elite by 20 points going into the halftime break.
Blackwater tried to stage a comeback, but the Hotshots’ firepower was just too much to handle in the end.
Art Dela Cruz tallied 23 points, while Roi Sumang added 13 markers for Blackwater who fell to 5-6 in the team standings.
Paul Lee waxed hot at the final quarter, finished with 15 points for Star – who improved their win-loss slate to 5-4.
The Hotshots will go up against the Meralco Bolts on January 28 (Saturday) at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The scores:
Star (111) – Maliksi 26, Lee 15, Melton 15, Jalalon 14, Sangalang 10, Barroca 8, Ramos 7, Dela Rosa 6, Pingris 5, Reavis 4, Brondial 1.
Blackwater (95) – Dela Cruz 23, Pinto 13, Sumang 13, Buenafe 10, Aguilar 10, Sena 9, Belo 6, Miranda 5, Gamalinda 4, Cervantes 2, Ababou 0, Pascual 0.
Quarterscores: 23-29, 59-45, 78-70, 111-95.
