NO LET UP

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Suiting up once again as a reinforcement for San Mig Super Coffee, Marqus Blakely is hoping that his third time would be a charm after winning the Bobby Parks Best Import award and the Governors’ Cup title last year.

But this time, it’s going to get a little rougher for the 25-year-old New Jersey native, as the Coffee Mixers are gunning for their fourth straight championship  and a shot at immortality with a Grand Slam.

“It’s hard not to think about (the Grand Slam),” Blakely said. “Every one’s talking about it. But our focus is just one game at a time, winning one game at a time, and being able to go out there and play with intensity each game and not letting up on any team, cause we know every team will bring their best in each game.”

And the 6-foot-5 import did just that, recording 10 points, 24 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in 37 minutes as San Mig scored a 76-66 win over Barako Bull last Wednesday  to start their 2014 PLDT Home Telpad PBA Governors’ Cup campaign on a high note.

Despite his monster numbers off the boards, Blakely still isn’t satisfied with his showing.

“The scoring’s gonna come. Rebounding is something I have to focus on. That I hope would give us more shots offensively and defensively, limiting other team’s second chance points,” he said.

“That’s one thing I’m definitely focusing on, but at the same time, you’ve got to do everything, assists, get your teammates going, try to block shots, rebound. Scoring’s probably the last thing I’m going to worry about.”

Begging off from playing in Europe for the opportunity to come back here and defend their crown, Blakely took a seven-month layoff and said that he’s still in the process of getting comfy again with coach Tim Cone’s intricate triangle offense.

“It’s gonna take a little getting used to, but it’s good to be back. It’s good to be around my teammates and see how much we’ve grown as a team and see where I’ll be able to fit in,” he said. “I felt like it was a perfect opportunity to come back here with them winning, and just being around this team and being able to fit in, it’s great.”

With the bulk of the pressure resting on his shoulders to deliver for the Coffee Mixers, Blakely says that chemistry will be a big factor in their aspirations to notch that fourth straight title.

He says, “It’s a chemistry thing. The transformation with James (Mays) being an inside threat and me being a wing-slash-post player, with my teammates and myself being able to mesh within the triangle. So I think within a couple of weeks, a couple of games, we will iron that out and we’ll be alright.”

Blakely knows that with the Mixers lording it over the league for the past year, every one is out there to get them and deny the squad that rare feat.

“There’s gonna be pressure,” Blakely said. “When you go out and play, the one goal that every body has is to win. It’s not the pressure of the next game or winning the championship, it’s winning that one game.” (RL)

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