New Star Hotshots import Malcolm Hill came up with big plays in crunch time as they extended the miseries of the woeful Alaska Aces with a 101-92 win in the Oppo PBA Governors’ Cup on Friday at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The 21-year-old Hill, who replaced Cinmeon Bowers, scored 28 points, 12 of which came in the payoff period, and 11 rebounds in his PBA debut.
Most importantly, he buried two crucial jumpers down the stretch to hand the Hotshots (2-0) their second win and send the Aces to their 11th straight loss dating back to last conference.
Star was holding a commanding 93-85 lead with just 3:27 remaining but Alaska, desperate for a win, unleashed a late run. The Aces scored six unanswered points to come to within just four with still 2:19 left.
Hill then came to the rescue. He fired a tough pull-up jumper from the left wing over Vic Manuel with 1:14 left.
The debuting import then drilled another similar shot from the top of the key to push Star’s lead back to eight points and take the fight out of the Aces.
Paul Lee contributed 18 points, four rebounds and five assists for the Hotshots who also got 16 points and eight boards from Ian Sangalang.
Alaska played without national team players Calvin Abueva and Carl Bryan Cruz.
LaDontae Henton’s 34 points went for naught as the Aces still search for answers amid their franchise-worst losing skid.
