Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Star Hotshots held back the resurgent Mahindra Enforcers, 86-73, on Wednesday (April 13) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, to book a place in the quarter finals of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup.
Import Ricardo Ratliffe paced the Hotshots with 24 markers, while backup guard Mark Cruz sizzled with a career-high 18 points.
After trailing by as much as 32-19 towards the end of the first period, the Enforcers found their footing and chipped away at the lead before finally drawing level at 51-all in the third quarter.
But a 14-1 run from the Star in the final period of play proved to be the undoing of Mahindra, who could not muster another comeback of their own.
The Enforcers could only manage to reduce the deficit to 69-76 in the last two minutes mark, but failed to trouble the Hotshots in the dying moments of the game.
Augustus Gilchrist, Karl Dehesa, and Aldrech Ramos all chipped in with 13 points apiece in a losing effort.
The Hotshots advance to the post-season after securing a 5-6 win-loss haul, while the Enforcers fall short at 4-7.
