(c) PBA Media Bureau
Believe it or not, the Star Hotshots are at the top of the standings! A win against their fellow top-tier team, Meralco Bolts, last Wednesday pushed their record to 8 wins and 2 losses.
Just by looking at two of the four quarters of that game will be enough to see the things that had pushed them to the top.
- At the first two to three minutes of the game, the Hotshots are giving away the defensive rebounds without any resistance. The length of the wing of Meralco is bothering them.
- At 7 to 4 minutes mark, Stephenson let Ratliffe shoot his second open midrange shot and Ratliffe nailed it again! The white in uniform is letting Stephenson show his post moves against a strong-bodied Ratliffe and it is working because Stephenson is missing the ring.
- Check 12:27 and you will see one of the awesome set of Star. Ratliffe is on the middle, surrounded
by his four teammates, forming an X shape. Ratliffe's task is to choose the right guy who can exploit Nabong. He choose Simon and made the pass and then the screen to force a switch. One quick move by Simon and he got an open shot and made it.
- In the very next two plays, we saw Ratliffe showcased his wit on both ends of the court. He alter the shot on the defensive end by his great position and then he quickly run down the floor to make sure that he gets into his sweet spot, right side near the ring.
- In the last few minutes, Meralco is not helping themselves. Cliff Hodge bad decisions and their point guards failed to calm down their offense.
Let us check the 3rd quarter.The Hotshots are in control after the first half, 54-45.
- You can see in the first three minutes that the offense of the Star is running through Ratliffe. Fortunately, the locals are doing their part by hitting their shots and making the right decisions. Their defense is also starting to be very disruptive due to the speed of Lee-Barroca-Melton and the good positioning of Sangalang and Ratliffe.
- One key decision that coach Chito made was to put Melton on Newsome. They gave up height but Melton will surely be a leech on Newsome and it is working.
- The two plays of Meralco in 7:25-8:46 youtube time were all Newsome. You will see there why Newsome is one of the fast rising star in the league.
- In 9-6 minutes of the game, we saw the Star juice out the Lee-Ratliffe pick and roll. I think the chemistry of the two is blossoming.
- Good sets put Meralco back into the game in the 6-4 minutes mark. The Star continue to rely on the Lee-Ratliffe pick and roll.
- One key decision that coach Chito made was to put Melton on Newsome. They gave up height but Melton will surely be a leech on Newsome and it is working.
- The two plays of Meralco in 7:25-8:46 youtube time were all Newsome. You will see there why Newsome is one of the fast rising star in the league.
- In 9-6 minutes of the game, we saw the Star juice out the Lee-Ratliffe pick and roll. I think the chemistry of the two is blossoming.
- Good sets put Meralco back into the game in the 6-4 minutes mark. The Star continue to rely on the Lee-Ratliffe pick and roll.
- In the last 4 minutes, Star finally see the effect of the spacing that Maliksi and Ramos brings.
- One more thing to take note is the ability of the shooters of Star to make shots off the dribble.
- Lastly, their defensive-choice against the pick and roll is to double-team the ball-handler and let the picker loose. Ratliffe's size makes it work because it is hard for the ball-handler to make the pass.
OVERALL
Just using the two quarters that we analyze, Ratliffe is standing out as the main reason. His size, skills and basketball IQ is fueling the team on both ends of the court.
Coach Chito Victolero is also making some good decisions on his rotation and gameplans.
The Lee-Ratliffe pick and roll is their bread-and-butter.
Lastly, their guard is very disruptive which is fueling their defense.
- One more thing to take note is the ability of the shooters of Star to make shots off the dribble.
- Lastly, their defensive-choice against the pick and roll is to double-team the ball-handler and let the picker loose. Ratliffe's size makes it work because it is hard for the ball-handler to make the pass.
OVERALL
Just using the two quarters that we analyze, Ratliffe is standing out as the main reason. His size, skills and basketball IQ is fueling the team on both ends of the court.
Coach Chito Victolero is also making some good decisions on his rotation and gameplans.
The Lee-Ratliffe pick and roll is their bread-and-butter.
Lastly, their guard is very disruptive which is fueling their defense.
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