PBA: Yap, Mallari score 17 each as Star eliminates GlobalPort

 
The Star Hotshots uncorked a 12-1 run midway in the fourth to erase GlobalPort's twice to beat advantage and advance to the semifinals with a 101-94 victory on Sunday.

James Yap and Alex Mallari came up big with 17 points each, while import Marqus Blakely hit 15 for the Hotshots. PJ Simon and Joe Devance were also in double figures, tallying 14 and 13 points, respectively.

"I knew it was going to be tough. Down the stretch we were able to win it," said Star head coach Tim Cone. "We made stops. That was the key."

Jarrid Famous carried GlobalPort with 38 points, while Stanley Pringle added 16. Terrence Romeo only had 15 points, as no other Batang Pier player registered double figures. Only four other players scored for GlobalPort.

The Hotshots closed each period with the lead, before Terrence Romeo tied it up with a three at the 7:49 mark. Mallari and Yap took over from there, though, stretching the lead to as much as 13 in the final two and a half minutes to cruise to victory.

"I got a special group of guys," added Cone. "They just like to do special things. I'm really blessed with these guys." - GMA News


The scores:

STAR 101 - Mallari 17, Yap 17, Blakely 15, Simon 14, Devance 13, Taha 8, Barroca 6, Pingris 6, Melton 5, Pennisi 0.

GLOBALPORT 94 - Famous 38, Pringle 16, Romeo 15, Krayem 9, Jensen 7, Buenafe 6, Kramer 3, Semerad 0, Miranda 0.

Quarters: 21-16, 49-40, 70-65, 101-94