TRUST a veteran to rise to the occasion when needed.
PJ Simon did just that, enabling Star to open up its PBA Governors Cup campaign with a 103-86 victory over hard-luck Blackwater Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Simon wound up with 20 points while Allein Maliksi, Ian Sangalang and another seasoned campaigner in Rafi Reavis did their share for the Hotshots in making up for import Cinmeon Bowers notching only 15 points and eight rebounds in his league debut.
Still,Star coach Chito Victolero said he was still satisfied with Bowers’ performance.
“Okay naman laro niya,” he said of Bowers, who saw action in just a little under 30
minutes, took just 11 shots and took time to issue five assists.
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“Siguro nag-a-adjust pa sa system ko,” added Victolero. “I’m happy sa inilaro ni CB. Kailangan lang siguro mag-adjust pa siya sa physicality, how to finish (strong to) the basket. Konting adjustments lang.”
The 37-year-old Simon was foremost among those who readily picked up the cudgels and was mainly responsible for Star’s steady break from a 71-68 count.
“Maaasahan naman lagi si PJ every time,” said Victolero of Simon, who came off the bench to shoot 8-of-10 from the field in just a little over 16 minutes of action.
“Nag-step up siya ngayon, especially nu’ng naghahabol ‘yung Blackwater. iyung mga decision-making niya,” added Victolero. “Sana magtuloy-tuloy.”
It was the second loss in as many games for Blackwater, and brought about in large part when Trevis Simpson had to leave the game with still 11:36 left in the game due to a suspected groin pull.
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Before the injury, Simpson was going great guns, already tallying 24 points and eight boards while repeatedly driving hard to the basket or pulling up for jumpers.
“Nakatulong sa amin iyon, na nawala import nila,” admitted Victolero. “Nawalan sila ng extra scorer. He keeps on attacking the basket so naguguluhan din depensa naming sa kanya.”
With the Elite having nobody else to turn to it didn’t take long for Star to pad a 70-75 lead to 101-80, in a stretch where Simon had eight of his points, Sangalang six of his 14 and Mark Barroca four of his six.
After going 0-for-13 from beyond the arc in a 78-107 loss to Meralco last Friday Blackwater again missed its first 10 triple tries against Star.
Despite that, the Elite kept within striking distance before Mike Digregorio boomed one in to make it 68-71.
Then Simon scored four straight points to end the third quarter and give the Hotshots a seven-point lead.
