MANILA, Philippines — Star's Filipino-American guard Alex Mallari said the team intends to score at every given opportunity Under the new up-tempo style of play being employed by new coach Jason Webb.
The different approach was evident during Star's tuneup match against Alaska on Wednesday, which ended in a draw. Regulation play ended at 83-83 after Star big man Rafi Reavis scored on a driving layup at the buzzer.
"It's (system being used) a lot different than the triangle, that's for sure because it's more up-tempo," Mallari told Philstar.com.
The 6-foot-4 Mallari said Webb wanted everybody on the floor to be a scoring threat for the defense to second guess.
"Coach preaches to everyone to look to score not look to shoot, so if everybody scores, it keeps the defense on us and if we have an open look, then take it (the shot)," added the 28-year-old left-handed guard out of Lewis-Clark State.
The push-the-ball approach is in complete contrast from the triangle offense the Hotshots used during their last four years with former coach Tim Cone.
But the high-octane game seemed to suit, Mallari, the 2012 PBA third overall rookie pick, who led the Hotshots with 19 points in their tuneup match again the Alaska Aces.
Webb's system also gave veteran gunners like James Yap, Peter June Simon, Allein Maliksi and even guards Mark Barroca and Justin Melton the free hand to score when the opportunity comes along.
However, Mallari admitted the Hotshots still have to fix a lot of things three weeks before the opening the 41st season against Rain or Shine.
"We wanna get as many possessions as we can but again, we're still a long way to go. We've got a lot of work to do," said Mallari, who is coming off new PBA care-high numbers of 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists last season.