By Jay R. Gotera
MANILA — The San Miguel Beermen razed a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat their new-look sister team Star Hotshots, 96-88, as the PBA unfurled its 42nd season beginning with the 2017 all-Filipino Philippine Cup Sunday night.
SMB’s June Mar Fajardo, the PBA’s three-time reigning MVP, was the big difference in the game, finishing with team-highs of 25 points and 16 rebounds. Alex Cabagnot added 22 points and eight assists as the Beermen began their defense of their Philippine Cup crown with an impressive win.
Two other SMB starters posted double-digit scores with Arwind Santos chipping in 17 markers, including three triples, and Marcio Lassiter tallying 11 points.
Mark Barroca led Star with 13 points and four assists while new acquisition Paul Lee finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Former collegiate standout and rookie Jio Jalalon scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds in an impressive debut in the pro league.
The Hotshots appeared ready to drop the upset ax on the Beermen, leading by nine points early in the fourth quarter. But SMB suddenly unleashed a crippling 19-2 run, dashing the Hotshots’ hopes.
Star made several changes to its roster in the offseason, getting Lee from Rain or Shine in exchange for veteran gunner James Yap, and taking prized collegiate recruit Jalalon in the draft pick.
Lack of familiarity due to the roster changes resulted in plenty of turnovers, with newcomers Lee and Jalalon combining for eight turnovers.
Lee showed his scoring wizardry in the third quarter, completing a three-point play and nailing a three-pointer as part of an 8-0 run by the Hotshots.
The new Star point guard then drained two free throws followed by a difficult midrange jumper.
Back-to-back three pointers from Aldrech Ramos and Justin Melton courtesy of Lee enabled Star to grab the lead, 69-64, with 3:50 left in the third.
The Hotshots were ahead, 79-75, at the end of the quarter as Allein Maliksi joined the three-point shooting spree.
Showing confidence, Star opened the fourth quarter with a 7-2 run with big shots from Peter June Simon and Jalalon. That gave the Hotshots their largest lead of nine points, 86-77, with 8:50 remaining in the game.
San Miguel then made a huge comeback, starring Lassiter, Fajardo and Cabagnot. A 15-0 run shoved SMB to a 92-86 lead as the Beermen cruised to victory.
Games Wednesday: Blackwater Elite vs. Phoenix Fuel Masters and TNT KaTropa Texters vs. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
