STAR took care of its own business, beating NLEX 101-93 Sunday to stay alive in its bid for a top four slot in the PBA Governors Cup quarterfinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Now the Hotshots have to sit it out a couple more hours before finding out whether they can go to the next round with a twice-to-beat advantage or a twice-to-win handicap.
"Now we need to wait, kung ano mangyayari, kung sino makakalaban," said Star coach Chito Victolero after his team finished the eliminations with a 7-4 slate that lodged it at fifth for the moment.
The outcome of the San Miguel Beer-Meralco match later in the evening is a crucial one for the Hotshots since a Bolts win would boost the former to No. 4 and the win-once reward.
Should the Beermen prevail, however, their sister team stays at No. 5.
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Victolero said his team's second straight win to end the elims has already served its other purpose of giving them impetus going to the playoffs that start Tuesday.
"I am already very happy going to the playoffs," stated Victolero. "At least, magandang momentum para sa amin ang panalong ito."
Aldrech Ramos and Kris Acox took turns spearheading the Hotshots' offense in the third period before the likes of Paul Lee and Mark Barroca chipped in to deliver the finishing touches.
The loss is a costly one for NLEX as it also wound up with a 7-4 record and would land fifth if Meralco wins and relegated to sixth in case of a victory by SMB.
The Road Warriors actually blew their chance for inclusion in the top four when they failed to hold on to two 15-point leads in the second quarter and could not match the Hotshots' pace in the stretches that mattered most.
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All because, Victolero pointed out, his charges took to heart his pre-game words. "I told the players that we need to win, no matter what," he related.
"Whatever happens in the second game is beyond our control, but we can control what happens in our game."
Star also heeded what Victolero stressed at halftime, which is for better ball movement and to opt for high percentage shots.
PJ Simon mostly carried the fight early on and wound up with 16 points with Paul Lee adding 15, seven coming in the fourth period where Star enjoyed as much as a 95-83 lead.
After scoring just two points in the entire first half, Acox found his rhythm in the last 24 minutes and wound up with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Ramos also scored 14 points, eight in the third quarter as the Hotshots wrested full control.
Aaron Fuller finished with 16 points and 17 rebounds to pace NLEX, which also drew 13 points from Alex Mallari and 12 from Larry Fonacier.
