MANILA — The Star Hotshots turned supernova yet again, blasting the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 114-83, in Game 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinals series Saturday night to move a game away from securing a semifinals spot in the PBA Philippine Cup. Having won their last three games by an average margin of 38.3 points, the Hotshots had all the confidence in disposing the Fuel Masters, whom they also crushed in their elimination round match in December last year. Paul Lee paced Star this time, pouring 22 points on 5-of-8 shooting on top of four boards, and four assists in 24 minutes. Ian Sangalang finished with 17 markers and four boards, while Justin Melton added 12 points. After scoring just two points in Star's last two games, Marc Pingris proved his worth this time on both ends of the court, tallying 10 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks, and three assists in 29 minutes off the bench. Allein Maliksi, Star's deadliest gunner in their last two games, cooled down a bit but still finished with 11 points in 25 minutes. Star won its fifth straight game despite missing the services of veteran PJ Simon due to flu. Matthew Wright led Phoenix with 19 points while new acquisitions Karl Dehesa and Doug Kramer added 10 markers apiece in their first game for their new team. The Hotshots now go for a sweep of their series in Game 2 Monday. TNT KaTropa 109, GlobalPort 101 The TNT KaTropa Texters used a balanced offense with five players scoring in double digits to overwhelm the Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle-led GlobalPort Batang Pier, 109-101, in Game 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinals series. The Texters also defeated the Batang Pier in their first meeting during the elims on Jan. 25, 2017. Jayson Castro once again came off the bench to lead TNT with 20 points on a creditable 7-of-11 shooting from the field. The veteran guard nicknamed "The Blur" also collected four boards, one assist, and one steal in 24 minutes. Larry Fonacier likewise came off the bench to contribute 17 points and three boards in 35 minutes. Mo Tautuaa added 17 markers plus nine rebounds in just 22 minutes of action. Troy Rosario and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively, with Rosario also tallying eight rebounds and two assists. Romeo led all scorers with 28 points on top of eight assists and five boards in 40 minutes, while Pringle added 19 markers. Mick Pennisi added 14 points, including four three-pointers all scored in the first half. The Batang Pier led by 12 points early in the first quarter. But the Texters quickly erased the deficit and started dominating the game in the second period. With TNT leading by as many as 18 points late in the third quarter, Romeo tried to play the role of a one-man wrecking crew, firing 15 of his points in the fourth period as the Batang Pier outscored the Texters, 30-23. But it was still too little too late to turn the game around as the Texters cruised to victory. Games Sunday: (Quarterfinals) San Miguel Beer (#1, twice to beat) vs. Rain or Shine (#8) and Alaska (#2, twice to beat) vs Barangay Ginebra (#7).
