MANILA, Philippines – The Star Hotshots’ quarterfinals win against the NLEX Road Warriors yesterday was a statement of what’s to come in the semifinals.

Star showed why it is ranked second in defense in the league (90.7 opponent points per game) by limiting the Road Warriors, a team that has the third most potent offense in the PBA after the eliminations (101.8 ppg), to a conference-low 77 points.

Prior to their quarterfinals clash, the two teams faced off last Sunday to decide which will have a shot at the last twice-to-beat incentive. In that game, Star showcased its defense mastery by limiting NLEX to 93 points, the Road Warriors’ lowest output in the elimination round.

To emphasize the Star’s impeccable defense, NLEX had scored at least 100 points in 8 of its 11 elimination round games.

The Star defense also provided major problems for NLEX import Aaron Fuller.

Before facing the Hotshots last Sunday, Fuller averaged 29 points (20.6 shots) and 20 rebounds in his last three games against TNT, Globalport and San Miguel. When he faced the Hotshots in back-to-back games, his average dipped to 16 points (15 shots) and 13 rebounds per game.

“We limited them to under 80 points. That was our goal, to limit their transition points, turnover points and fastbreak points,” said Star coach Chito Victolero.

And yesterday, Star lived up to the old adage, “The best offense is a good defense.”

Like a cobra sizing up its opponents before striking that poisonous blow, the Hotshots, who were trailing 61-63 heading into the final quarter, outscored the Road Warriors in the period, 28-14, to secure the semis ticket.

With the win, the Hotshots have advanced to the semifinals of all the three conferences this season.

But the daunting task that awaits them is making it into the finals against either the No. 1 Meralco Bolts or the No. 8 Blackwater Elite who will figure in a knockout game on Thursday.

“We’ve been here before, All-Filipino, Commissioner’s Cup, pero hanggang semis lang kami e (but we’ve only reached the semis). But I think now, we’re more experienced and we hope, malampasan naming tong semifinals (we can win the semifinals),” Victolero added. – Rappler.com