By JAY R. GOTERA
MANILA — The Star Hotshots survived a ferocious comeback bid by the San Miguel Beermen to take Game 1 of their best-of-5 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series, 109-105, on Saturday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots appeared headed for a blowout win as they erected a 15-point lead, 94-79, with less than 7 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
But the Beermen suddenly unleashed a mighty run capped by a Marcio Lassiter three-pointer that cut Star’s lead to a whisker, 105-104, with 33.5 ticks left.
Aldrech Ramos doused cold water on the Beermen’s aspirations, however, as he buried a dagger three-pointer, the last of his three triples, from the top-of-the-key that gave Star a four-point lead, 108-104, with 15 seconds remaining—not enough time for SMB to turn the game around.
Game Two of their series is on Monday night.
Ricardo Ratliffe and Allein Maliksi fired 26 points apiece to lead Star. Maliksi was deadly from long range, hitting five three-pointers, while Ratliffe dominated the boards, grabbing 21 rebounds, on top of three assists, three steals, and one block.
Ian Sangalang added 12 markers while Ramos finished with 11.
The Hotshots nailed 12 of their 27 three-point attempts overall for a high 44-percent shooting from beyond the arc. The Beermen connected on just 7 of their 24 three-point attempts for a 29 percent clip.
Charles Rhodes led SMB with 34 points, 10 boards, three assists, and three steals in 43 minutes, while June Mar Fajardo collected 24 points and nine rebounds.
Arwind Santos scored 16 markers while Lassiter added 12 points on four triples.
Game Sunday: Barangay Ginebra Kings vs. TNT KaTropa Texters (Game 1, best of 5 semifinal series).
