The Star Hotshots destroyed reigning champions Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 118-82, to take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinal showdown on Monday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Best Import frontrunner Ricardo Ratliffe tallied 29 points and eight boards to carry the Hotshots whose biggest lead stood at 41 points.
Allein Maliksi added 16 points as Aldrech Ramos fired 15 markers for the Hotshots who are just one win away from booking a trip to the semifinals.
Ian Sangalang also had 12 points and seven boards, while Jio Jalalon and Mark Barroca each scored 11 points to complete Star’s balanced attack.
The Hotshots ran away in the second quarter, dropping a 15-0 bomb in a sizzling second period that saw Ramos erupt for 11 points as Star outscored Rain or Shine, 35-17.
Star took a 61-40 cushion at the half and never looked back.
Duke Crews led Rain or Shine with 19 points and 13 boards, while Beau Belga scored 18 points in the losing effort.