Jay R. Gotera Saudi Gazette MANILA — The Star Hotshots stayed in the hunt for a playoff spot after coming from behind to defeat the Talk N Text Tropang Texters, 105-93, Tuesday night in the PBA Governors' Cup. Star improved to a 4-5 win-loss card to take solo eighth place in the standings while TNT fell half a game behind at 4-6. Marqus did a yeoman's job for the Hotshots, finishing with 26 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and six blocks. Joe Devance posted 19 points coming off the bench, including a perfect 4-of-4 from beyond the three-point arc. Justin Melton and PJ Simon added 16 and 15 points, respectively. The trio shot a sizzling 74 percent from the field on 20-for-27 shooting and 6-of-9 (67 percent) from three-point territory. The Hotshots started off cold, trailing 21-9. But they quickly heated up, piling a lead as high as 20 points in the fourth quarter before coasting to victory. Larry Fonacier was the top scorer for TNT with 15 points while Jayson Castro posted 11 markers. SMB 115, Blackwater 83 The San Miguel Beermen formally clinched a top 4 finish and the twice-to-beat advantage that goes with it in the playoffs as they romped over the Blackwater Elite, 115-83. It was SMB's eighth straight victory after a 0-2 start, catapulting the Beermen to the top of the standings. Blackwater bowed out of the conference after reeling to a fifth straight defeat and eight overall in nine games as the Elite remained glued at the bottom of the 12-team roster. SMB's Arizona Reid was nearly flawless, posting a triple double of 39 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. The two-time Best Import awardee toyed with the defenders thrown at him, nearly scoring at will from all angles. He scored 13 of the Beermen's 32 points in the first quarter alone, just a point shy of Blackwater's total output of 14. Reid then unloaded 17 markers in the fourth quarter for good measure. June Mar Fajardo also stood out for SMB with 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting, aside from five rebounds, and two steals. Marcio Lassiter added 17 points, including five three-pointers, four boards, and four assists. The Beermen shone on both ends of the court, shooting 53 percent (42-of-80) from the field and forcing the Elite to turn over the ball 23 times, leading to 21 turnover points. Import Marcus Cousin paced Blackwater with 25 points and 16 boards. Brian Heruela added 15 points, seven boards, five assists, and two steals while Reil Cervantes chipped in with 11 points and seven rebounds. Games Wednesday Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs. Kia Carnival; Barako Bull Energy vs. Barangay Ginebra Kings.
