Lee leads the way as Stars stymie NLEX for first win

Paul Lee led four other Hotshots starters in double figures to notch a 99-75 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors on Wednesday at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

It is Star's first win in three assignments. Mahindra is now the only team left winless at 0-3, while Star joined Alaska and NLEX at 1-2.

Lee tallied 20 points off an impressive 66 percent shooting percentage, including a perfect 4 of 4 clip from beyond the arc to pace Star. 

Allein Maliksi had 15 markers, while Aldrech Ramos and Ian Sangalang scored 13 points each to round up the starters in double figures.

Jio Jalalon was a spark off the bench with 17 points, while Mark Barroca and Marc Pingris added 10 and six points, respectively.

"It's about our defense; nagcommit players ko sa defensive plan namin then yung desire nila manalo," said Star head coach Chito Victolero. "I told them I want to be number one or number two sa defense. Hopefully yung chemistry sa mga susunod na laro magawa namin."

Carlo Lastimosa and Jonas Villanueva paced NLEX with 11 points each, while Kevin Alas and Garvo Lanete tallied 10 points each off the bench. Sean Anthony and Raul Soyud also chipped in seven points each. — BAP, GMA News