MANILA, Philippines – Star Hotshots is now back at the top after a game 5 win 89-80 against Ginebra to take 3-2 advantage in their best of 7 semifinals of the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup on February 17, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
After losing game 3 and 4 Star Hotshots came out strong lead by Rafi Reavis with 17pts and 13 rebounds, Maliksi and Paul Lee both finished with 10pts each, Barroca also added with 12pts. Brondial and Simon also added with 8pts each of the bench.
After a back-and-forth first quarter Star Hotshots came up with 22-21 behind Brondial early production with 8pts.
Scoring Apostle “Simon” provided spark for Hotshots in the second quarter with 7pts to protect a 49-45 lead going into the break.
Star Hotshots came out strong in the second half and stretch the lead to 16pts in the third period and went to 72-55 lead early in the final quarter. Hotshots who lose their double digits with more than 2 minutes left after Fast and Furious 2 consecutive 3 point play to trim 87-80 then Star Hotshots had 2 turnovers in the next 2 position with a 24 second shot clock violation plus a travel violation of Marc Pingris but Ginebra could not make any basket in the crucial minutes.
Japeth Aguilar finished with 13pts the only Ginebra player who scored with double digit. Jervy Cruz who scored 21pts last game only finished with 6pts.
Game Summary
Total Lead Changes: 6
Total Deadlock: 7
including 2 made free throws of Jervy Cruz to separate 9-9 to 10-9 in the first quarter
Biggest Lead: 5pts (Ginebra)
Biggest Lead: 17pts (Star Hotshots)
Quarter Scoring
First Quarter: Star Hotshots (22-21)
Second Quarter: (27-24)
Third Quarter: (22-10)
Fourth Quarter: (18-25) Ginebra
Total: 89-80
Scores
Star (89): Reavis 17, Barroca 12, Maliksi 10, Lee 10, Simon 8, Brondial 8, Melton 7, Pingris 6,Sangalang 5, Jalalon 2, Ramos 2, Dela Rosa 2
Ginebra (80): Aguilar 13, Ellis 9, Mercado 9,Caguiao 9, Helterbrand 6, Cruz 6, Tenorio 5, Thompson 5, Taha 5, Ferrer 4, Mariano 4, Marcelo 3, Devance 2
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