Simon lifts Star over Blackwater
BOLTS JOLT KINGS, SPOIL SLAUGHTER COMEBACK
PJ Simon came off the bench to fire 20 points as Star kicked off its PBA Governors’ Cup campaign with a 103-86 drubbing of Blackwater at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.
Simon made the most of his 16-minute stint on the floor, presiding over the team’s breakaway in the fourth with an eight-point binge as the Hotshots broke the game wide open, aided by Blackwater import Travis Simpson’s exit due to injury, on their way to the 17-point romp.
“He’s just like that every time he comes in, he’s always reliable,” said Star coach Chito Victolero of his veteran guard, who even outscored their reinforcement Cinmeon Bowers.
Bowers saw action for almost 30 minutes but managed just 15 points on a 6-of-11 clip.
Victolero, however, believes Bowers still has a lot to show.
“I’m okay with his game. He’s still adjusting to our system as well as the physicality of the game,” said Victolero of their reinforcement.
The Hotshots also pounced on the sidelining of Simpson, who suffered a bruised left groin injury early in the fourth quarter.
Simpson poured in half of his 24 points in the third period as the Elite kept the game close.
“That is an extra for us because he keeps on attacking the basket and disrupting our defense, it was unfortunate for Blackwater and a break for us,” said Victolero of Simpson.
The Hotshots likewise leaned on their pressing defense to disrupt the Elite’s offensive game then cashed in on Simon’s explosion and Simpson’s exit.
“We just tried to limit Blackwater to under 90 points, that’s really our goal and I’m happy we achieved it,” he said.
In the nightcap, Meralco spoiled the debut of Greg Slaughter as it hammered out a 93-78 win over Brgy. Ginebra to join NLEX and Phoenix at the helm with a 2-0 (win-loss) mark each.
Slaughter played his first game after missing almost a year due to a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and had 14 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks in 30 minutes but his effort wasn’t enough to prevent the Bolts from booking their second straight win.
Allen Durham paced Meralco with 30 points, 24 boards, nine assists and three blocks but coach Norman Black was more impressed with their defense.