Star shuts down NLEX late to seal semis berth

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Star stifled NLEX in the fourth quarter to walk away with a semifinals berth in the PBA Governors' Cup through an 89-77 quarterfinal win at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Tuesday night.

The Hotshots limited the Road Warriors to only 14 points in the final 12 minutes while dropping 28 points in the process.

Kris Acox led Star, which will take a three-day break as the Blackwater-Meralco series goes the full distance after the former's 92-91 win earlier Tuesday, with 21 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block, while Paul Lee added 18 points and one rebound.

Aaron Fuller tallied 16 markers, nine boards, three assists, and three steals for NLEX, which ended its season with three straight losses.

Box Scores:

Star 89-Acox 21, Lee 18, Sangalang 14, Pingris 8, Jalalon 7, Simon 7, Brondial 5, Ramos 3, Reavis 2, Barroca 2, Dela Rosa 2, Melton 0

NLEX 77 - Fuller 16, Mallari 15, Alas 14, Fonacier 9, Quinahan 6, Tiongson 5, Baguio 5, Rios 4, Al-Hussaini 3, Taulava 0, Soyud 0

Quarterscores: 23-22, 45-45, 61-63, 89-77

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