The Hotshots saw the Beermen were still a tough customer even without the injured June Mar Fajardo, making comeback attempts from a couple of double-digit leads, before proving steadier down the stretch to pull off their third straight win.
Malcolm Hill again shone brightest in the clutch for the Hotshots, who handed the Beermen their first loss in three games after the rematch of the last Commissioner’s Cup semifinals where the games always went down the wire.
But with the Texters in the middle of a comeback against the Aces, Castro and Pogoy were forced to see more action than planned and brought TNT home.
Hill finished with 20 points, nine boards, four assists, and one block, while Ian Sangalang added 18 points, 11 caroms, two blocks, and one assist for the Hotshots.
The final scores result:
STAR 104 – 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
SMB 98 – McKines 27, Lassiter 24, Santos 19, Cabagnot 12, Ross 10, Rosser 4, Espinas 2, Heruela 0, Tubid 0, Pessumal 0
Quarterscores: 24-21, 50-55, 76-77, 104-98