Even with their import arriving late to the party, the Star Hotshots were able to break out of a two-game slump by edging the Blackwater Elite, 96-90, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Tony Mitchell was held up by the grueling Manila traffic en route to the venue but still managed to log team-highs of 17 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Hotshots from off the bench.
He was aided by strong games from Paul Lee, who had 15 points, five rebounds and five assists, and Jio Jalalon, who added 13 markers.
Star trailed entering the fourth quarter but outscored their opponents, 31-20, over the last 12 minutes to end their skid and improve to 5-2 for the season.
Blackwater got some big contributions from KG Canaleta (27 points, 7-for-12 shooting from three) and import Greg Smith (22 points, 29 rebounds and six assists) but could not avoid another loss that dropped them to 1-6.
The Hotshots faced a 70-65 deficit to start the fourth quarter but quickly wiped that out with a 9-0 run capped by a triple from Allein Maliksi and a dunk by Mitchell, 74-70.
After Smith scored for the Elite on the other end, the Hotshots rattled off seven more points as Jalalon and Lee contributed big baskets and Mitchell again finished with a slam, 81-72.
