Yap helps Star return to winning ways, holds off KIA

MANILA, Philippines – The Star Hotshots put an end to their 4-game downward spiral with an 89-80 win over the KIA Carnival in the 2015 PBA Governors’ Cup on Saturday, May 30, at the AUF Sports Arena and Cultural Center in Pampanga.

James Yap steered the frustrated Hotshots out of their lowly second-to-the-last place in the standings with his 23 points and 7 rebounds.

The veteran Yap, who went 4-of-4 from beyond the arc and 5-of-5 from the stripe, set the pace with a searing 12-point, 4-rebound start in the opening quarter before capping his splendid night with a pair of dagger triples to hold KIA off.

Import Marqus Blakely was the only other player in double figures with 23 points on top of 11 rebounds and 3 assists as the Hotshots improved to 2-4 after dropping 4 straight games.

Asian import Jet Chang led the Carnival with 17 points, while KIA’s other import Hamady N’Diaye added 13 markers and 18 rebounds.

Guard LA Revilla had 12 points, 6 assists and 7 rebounds, as Karl Dehesa chipped in 11 off the bench. 

Hans Thiele tallied 10 points as the Carnival could not make it 3 straight wins and slipped to 3-2.

The Hotshots led by 69-58 to start the fourth but saw their lead chopped down to a precarious 82-77 advantage with just under 2 minutes remaining.

But Yap eliminated the threat with back-to-back treys to emerge unscathed. – Rappler.com