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[av_heading heading=’ Hotshots routs Kia in PBA Govs’ Cup’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Star Hotshots got back on the winning track in the 2017 Oppo PBA Governors’ Cup with a lopsided 128-81 victory over Kia Picanto last night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Kristofer Acox led the way with double-double 19 points and 15 rebounds while Jiovani Jalalon, Peter June Simon and Ian Sangalang added 15, 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Jean Marc Pingris hit a milestone in the match. His 12-point performance made him the newest member of the league’s 5,000 points club.
The victory improved the Hotshots’ record to 6-4 win-loss slate and it still has a shot at the remaining “twice-to-beat” incentive in the quarterfinals round if it beats NLEX Road Warriors on Sunday.
“This is a very important win for us because of the standings and the placings,” said Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero. “Wala na sa control namin (twice-to-beat advantage) pero may chance pa if we take care of our end.”
The Hotshots jumped to an early 15-5 lead on hits by Rafael Reavis and Acox. The Picanto responded with triples from Nico Elorde to come to within seven but hits from Justin Melton and Simon increased Hotshots’ lead to 30-19.
Picanto rallied to within six markers early in the second frame but the Hotshots went on a huge run behind Jalalon, Aldrech Ramos to widen the lead to 65-36 at the half.
Hotshots continued its scorching shooting in the second half behind Jalalon, Acox, Barroca and Paul Lee to build its largest lead of the match at 128-79 on back-to-back hits by Pingris.
Import Geron Johnson led the way with 27 points, while Elorde and Jackson Corpuz added 15 and 11 points, respectively, for the Picanto, which ended its campaign with 0-11 win-loss card.
BOX SCORE:
STAR 128 – Acox 19, Jalalon 15, Simon 13, Sangalang 12, Pingris 12, Melton 10, Barroca 10, Reavis 7, Ramos 7, Dela Rosa 5, Mendoza 5, Lee 4, Abundo 3, Brondial 2, Gamalinda 2, Pascual 2.
KIA 81 – Johnson 27, Elorde 15, Corpuz 11, Camson 10, Celda 9, Yee 4, Deutchman 3, Nimes 2, Ballesteros 0, Paniamogan 0, Jaime 0.
Quarterscores: 32-24, 65-36, 91-60, 128-81./PN
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