Star clips SMB; TNT nips Alaska

Game Today (Calasiao Sports Complex, Pangasinan) 5:15 p.m. – Ginebra vs NLEX

The Star Hotshots capitalized on the absence of June Mar Fajardo while surviving a last ditch comeback by the Grand Slam-seeking San Miguel Beermen to eke out a 104-98 victory last night and stay unbeaten in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Coach Chito Victolero got an unlikely lift from reserve center Rodney Brondial while young import Malcolm Hill showed veteran poise with a key triple late as the Hotshots came back from a double-digit deficit before avoiding blowing their own lead to notch their third straight victory.

San Miguel suffered its first loss in three games, a double whammy after Fajardo was diagnosed with a strained right calf that may force him to miss next week’s FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon.

Brondial scored 10 points in just 10 minutes while Hill hit 20 points, including a three-pointer that gave the Hotshots a 100-95 lead with barely a minute to play in the fourth.

But Star’s lead almost disappeared when San Miguel’s Marcio Lassiter hit a corner triple to narrow the gap to two. Then the Hotshots almost saw the Beermen tie the game when Chris Ross stole the ball from a doubleteamed Mark Barroca.

Earlier, TNT KaTropa extended the misery of the struggling Alaska Aces last night as it came back from a 14-point deficit in the second half and escaped with a 107-106 victory.

Forced to log heavy minutes before leaving for Lebanon to represent Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup, rookie Roger Pogoy and Jayson Castro knocked down big shots to complete the KaTropa’s stirring comeback and deal the hardluck Aces their 12th straight loss since the Commissioner’s Cup.

– JONAS TERRADO

Craig 28, Pogoy 25, Castro 23, Rosario 15, De Ocampo 7, Williams 4, Garcia 3, Tautuaa 2, Carey 0, Hernandez 0, Semerad 0. Henton 42, Abueva 19, Manuel 13, Banchero 12, Casio 6, Baclao 4, Enciso 4, Magat 2, Hontiveros 2, Racal 2, Exciminiano 0. Quarters: 17-20; 38-47; 71-80; 107-106.

Hill 20, Sangalang 18, Reavis 13, Brondial 10, Maliksi 8, Barroca 8, Lee 7, Dela Rosa 7, Melton 6, Ramos 5, Jalalon 2, Javier 0, Simon 0. McKines 27, Lassiter 24, Santos 19, Cabagnot 12, Ross 10, Rosser 4, Espinas 2, Heruela 0, Tubid 0, Pessumal 0. Quarters: 24-21, 50-55, 76-77, 104-98

TNT import Michael Craig finds the driving lane tightly guarded by Calvin Abueva of Alaska in their PBA game last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. TNT won, 107-106. (PBA Images)