Hotshots trip F’buster, gain piece of lead

MANILA, Philippines -  Star spoiled new Mahindra import Keith Wright‘s debut as the Hotshots fashioned out a 97-83 victory to stretch their unbeaten run to four for a share of the lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Tony Mitchell led the Hotshots with a tough defense on the Floodbuster with six blocks and he spiced it up with 19 points and 14 rebounds, helping the Hotshots tie the Alaska Milk Aces atop the heap and dealing their rivals fourth loss against a single win.

Mahindra was held to its least output in a game this conference. Before this game, the Floodbuster averaged 90.5 points.

“We had no idea on their new import. We only anticipated that he’s a good post player so we played a very good defense,” said Star coach Chito Victolero.

Wright delivered only 17 points on 8-of-22 field shooting and added just 14 rebounds – numbers that paled in comparison to James White’s whopping averages of 30.5 markers, 18.5 boards and 2.5 blocks.

Alex Mallari fired a game-high 24 points in snapping out of his personal slump but the rest of the Mahindra locals groped for form.

Justin Brownlee shrugged off his struggle from their last match and in the early going against GlobalPort, erupting for 20 points in the third period to power the Barangay Ginebra Kings past the Batang Pier, 113-96, in the nightcap.

The returning Ginebra import went 3-of-5 from the three-point area to highlight his third-quarter explosion that fuelled Ginebra’s surge to an 85-75 lead after trailing by as many as 13 in the first half.