The Star Hotshots shackled the Meralco Bolts, 108-90, to grab the solo No.1 spot in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
In the battle of the league’s top two teams, the Hotshots (8-2) prevailed to move a step closer towards a twice-to-beat ticket in the quarterfinals.
Ricardo Ratliffe carried the Hotshots with 32 points, 13 rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
Paul Lee chipped in 16 points and four dimes as Mark Barroca made 12 points. Allein Maliksi and Jio Jalalon also had 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Chris Newsome tallied 25 points, seven rebounds and eight assists to lead Meralco (7-3).
The Hotshots built an 18-point lead in the first half but the Bolts, behind Newsome, stormed back and made things interesting in the third quarter.
Meralco was able to turn it into a six-point game, 81-75, entering the final frame. But Star handcuffed Meralco in the fourth quarter, not allowing the Bolts to score for the first six minutes of the period.
As Meralco went into a blackout, the Hotshots scored 13 unanswered points to establish a 19-point lead, 94-75, and take the fight out of Meralco.
