ACES BACK IN ACTION VS TOUGH HOTSHOTS
Alaska ends a brief breather following its runner-up finish behind San Miguel Beer in the all-Filipino tourney when it tangles with Purefoods Star in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Tuesday.
Though missing the Philippine Cup crown by a game, the Aces feel they’re the underdogs versus Purefoods and its tested import Marqus Blakely in their 7 p.m. showdown.
“It will be very tough for us. Purefoods is a great team coming off a conference they’re not satisfied with. They have the winningest coach in the history of the league with an import who knows their system and players in and out,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.
“We will just come out, play hard and hope to give ourselves a chance,” Compton also said.
The Aces could really be in for a tough night if what Blakely and his teammates showed versus the GlobalPort Batang Pier Friday would be any indication.
Blakely started the game swatting away the first field goal attempt of GlobalPort import CJ Leslie, and the one-time Governors’ Cup Best Import awardee went on to dominate the game, leading the Hotshots to an 83-70 win over the Batang Pier.
The former Vermont U standout, only a little over 6-foot-4, proved he’s capable matching up against a taller rival, coming through with a remarkable near triple-double job of 26 points, 18 rebounds and seven blocks to get Purefoods back on the winning track after being eliminated in the Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
Alaska import DJ Covington is likely to get an early baptism of fire in the PBA versus Blakely.
Listed at six feet and nine inches, Covington turned out to be just 6’5” ¾ under the PBA official measurement.
But with him is his reputation as a rebounder and a defender making him a two-time Big South Defensive Player of the Year in the US NCAA.
In his senior year with the Keydets, Covington averaged a team-high 20.1 points on an efficient 59 percent shooting from the field on top of 106 blocks to finish his stint with a career total of 272 rejections – a Virginia Military Institute record.
He came on board at Alaska as the team failed to get Rob Dozier’s release from the Dubai league.
The Aces won their last PBA title in the Commissioner’s Cup two years ago with Dozier as import.
“Covington is small for this tournament, pero susubukan na rin namin dahil maganda naman ang stats nya playing as an undersized big man,” said an Alaska official. (SB)
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
