In rare start, Simon shoots Star past Blackwater, into quarters

Peter June Simon set the tone in a rare start for Star. KC Cruz

The Star Hotshots finally punched a ticket to the Philippine Cup quarterfinals with a 102-89 victory over Blackwater on Friday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

The Hotshots, in their first tournament under rookie coach Jason Webb, finished the elimination round with a 4-7 win-loss record. They could finish as the eighth or ninth seed in the playoffs and will have to win twice against their opponent in the quarterfinals.

Peter June Simon sizzled for 26 points in a rare start after going scoreless in the Hotshots' last outing, a disappointing defeat to Barako Bull last Sunday. He scored 11 right in the first quarter to set the tone for Star, which controlled most of the game while trying to keep Blackwater at bay.

With the defeat, Blackwater's record dropped to 2-8 in a tie with fellow second-year team Mahindra. The two squads will duke it out in their final assignment on Sunday to determine which team makes it to the playoffs as the 10th seed. —JST, GMA News