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Mindanao blasts off in Q4 to upend Smart All-Stars

Baser Amer sizzled off the bench.
By Ivan Saldajeno

BIÑAN--The Mindanao All-Stars pulled off a fourth quarter show to blow past the Smart All-Star National Team, 144-130, in the first leg of the PBA All-Star Week at the Davao Del Sur Coliseum in Digos on Wednesday night.

Mindanao banked on a hot three-point spree that ignited a game-turning 18-0 run in the fourth quarter that even saw Sonny Thoss making one from deep to pull away for good from the Smart All-Stars, who are part of the Gilas pool for the third window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.

Baser Amer came off the bench to lead Mindanao with 22 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and one steal en route to All-Star Game MVP honor.

Mark Barroca added 20 points, six rebounds, seven assists, and three steals as he and the rest of the team gave Tim Cone, his former coach at Magnolia, his first All-Star win since 1999.

Junemar Fajardo dropped 34 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, and one block for the Smart All-Star National Team.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno