Game recap (adapted from Interaksyon):
PUREFOODS STAR HOTSHOTS over BARAKO BULL ENERGY, 117-89
Box scores.
Defending champions Star Hotshots showed their killer form in a 117-89 demolition of a struggling Barako Bull squad in PBA Governors’ Cup Sunday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Import Marqus Blakely needed only 34 minutes of play to tally 33 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. James Yap finished with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists as the Hotshots bolstered their bid for a playoff berth.
PJ Simon also contributed 15 points off the bench.
Liam McMorrow posted 23 points and 12 boards in another loss for Barako Bull, already its fourth straight since surprising the league by taking the top spot a few weeks ago.
The Hotshots had their guns ablaze right from the opening tip, scoring the game’s first eight points at the expense of Barako Bull’s porous defense.
With Blakely displaying his all-around skills and Yap finding his shooting touch, the game was decided that early as Star never looked back and went on to pad their lead to as many as 32 points.
The win helped Star strengthen its grip on one of the last playoff spots. The Hotshots (5-5) are currently at seventh, and still even have an outside shot at the remaining berths with twice-to-beat incentives which are still up for grabs.
The loss was another setback for Barako Bull (6-5), once the league’s leading team and primed for a twice-to-beat but saw its campaign dwindle in the homestretch of the eliminations. They are, however, still assured of a spot in the quarterfinals.
Line of the Game: Marqus Blakely (PUR) - 33pts, 8rebs, 3asts, 2blks 1stl, 12/18 FGs.
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| Liam McMorrow's production couldn't carry the Energy to a win over the Hotshots. |
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| Marqus Blakely splits the defense of JC Intal and Jake Pascual. |
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| PJ Simon waxed hot off the bench for Purefoods Star. |
RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO-PAINTERS over MERALCO BOLTS, 96-89
Box scores.
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters secured a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals after a come-from-behind 96-89 win over the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Governors’ Cup Sunday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Wendell McKines delivered a double-double outing of 26 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Elasto Painters (7-4), who began the tournament slow but turned themselves into the league’s hottest team after a six-game winning streak that clinched them the No.3 spot in the playoffs.
Andre Emmett finished with 33 points and 13 rebounds for Meralco (5-5), which slid to a share of sixth place.
The Elasto Painters trailed by as many as 13, 30-17, after the Bolts launched a 13-4 run in the end of the first quarter.
Gary David then waxed hot from downtown to keep the Bolts afloat in a highly physical second quarter where a scuffle ensued.
Meralco still maintained a 56-46 lead at the break before Rain or Shine surged late in the third frame.
Rain or Shine unleashed an 18-8 run to end the third period carrying a 70-68 edge.
The Elasto Painters continued their rampage in the fourth quarter, with McKines, Beau Belga, and Jeff Chan hitting the mark to give their team a 94-82 lead following a 14-4 run in the dying minutes.
Chan added 14 points for Rain or Shine, while David chipped in the same for Meralco in the losing effort.
Line of the Game: Andre Emmett (MER) - 33pts, 13rebs, 6asts, 4stls.
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| Chris Tiu continues to play big minutes for ROS. |
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| Jeff Chan flourished as a major scoring option for the second unit. |
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| Wendell McKines (middle) tries to box out two Meralco Bolts -- Reynel Hugnatan and Andre Emmett. |
All images are from the PBA.
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