Meralco’s woeful conference ended with a whimper.
Star dealt the Bolts an emphatic 47-point mugging, 120-74, Saturday, in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Allein Maliksi had a hot-shooting night, firing five treys to lead the Hotshots with 25 points, all coming from the first three quarters, while Paul Lee and Jio Jalalon both chipped in 15 markers.
Clicking in all fronts, Star raced to a 16-8 lead early and erected an advantage as high as 55, 104-49, courtesy of a Jalalon basket with 8:12 left in the game.
It didn’t help that Meralco shot 38-percent from the field, against the Hotshots’ 56-percent field goal shooting.
Star cruised to its third straight victory and can secure the number two spot with a win against Mahindra next Wednesday.
The 47-point rout was the Bolts’ worst in franchise history, as they ended the all-Filipino conference with a 3-8 card.
Chris Newsome was the only one who got to double digits, pouring 10 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter.
The Scores:
STAR 120 – Maliksi 25, Lee 15, Ramos 13, Melton 10, Barroca 10, Sangalang 10, Abundo 8, Reavis 4, De Leon 3, Abundo 3, Dela Rosa 2, Brondial 2, Pingris 0.
MERALCO 73 – Newsome 13, Al Hussaini 9, Hugnatan 7, Amer 7, Uyloan 6, Caram 6, Grey 5, Chua 4, Faundo 4, Dillinger 4, Daquioag 3, Hodge 3, Yeo 2, Nabong 0.
Quarters: 28-19, 63-31, 90-43, 120-73.