#PBA2015 PREVIEW: BLACKWATER ELITE vs PUREFOODS STAR HOTSHOTS – LONGSHOTS AND HOTSHOTS
Blackwater continues to remain winless in its first season, losing back-to-back to start the Commish Cup. They remain one of the league’s long shots at being a contender. On the other end, we have the Purefoods Star Hotshots, who seem to have renewed motivation after an early exit in the previous conference.
The Elite have been far from being elite. They lost all eleven elims games in the previous conference, and haven’t shown much promise this conference. They’re also missing the services of primary import Chris Charles, who remains sidelined with an injury. Even with Gilas veteran Marcus Douthit in tow, it seems unlikely the Elite will be elite anytime soon.
The Hotshots, meanwhile, have been mighty impressive in their first two games. They outplayed the GlobalPort Batang Pier last January 30 and waylaid the Alaska Aces, who were coming off a scintillating run in the Philippine Cup. If Purefoods can keep playing at a high level and maintain this pace, they may have a strong chance of defending their Commish Cup crown.
Here are some things to watch for this game:
- BIG BOY BRYAN
One revelation for the Elite so far this season has been former Letran big man Bryan Faundo. The 6’6 30-year old center isn’t the nimblest or biggest guy out there on the court, but he gets the job done by being an efficient scorer and by working hard. After being dropped by Ginebra in the previous season, it seemed like his career was headed nowhere, but he has found renewed life with Blackwater. If he can continue putting up solid numbers, he may proceed to be one of the most underrated bigs in the pros.
Current season stats: 12.4ppg, 7.7rpg, 53.2 FG%.
First 2 games this conference: 17.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 53.1 FG%.
- KUYA MARCUS
Faundo’s partner at the frontline is Marcus Douthit, who came in to hold the fort while primary import Chris Charles continues to rest. The 6’11 Syracuse, New York native will turn 35 this year, and his age is definitely showing, but he still puts out a healthy amount of effort and energy out there. He last played in the PBA as an import in 2012, so there’s still some adjustments to be made, but by and large the Elite are better with him than without him.
2012 Commish Cup stats: 20.3ppg, 20.3rpg, 3.8apg, 1.2spg, 2.2bpg, 36.5 FG%.
Last game vs TNT: 14pts, 17rebs, 2asts, 1stl, 4blks, 26.7 FG%
- VAL-IANT ACUNA
One unlikely contributor for Blackwater in its previous game was Val Acuña. The former UE sniper drilled 3 three-pointers on his way to scoring a dozen points off the bench for Blackwater. He was instrumental in spreading the floor and helping the Elite hang on to a 6-point lead entering the fourth period. If he can turn it up another gear in this game, the Elite may have an outside chance at getting an upset.
Season stats: 7.0ppg, 1.3apg, 1.3 triples per game
Last game: 12pts, 2asts, 3 triples
- TOO MANY TOs
Another key stat for Blackwater in its previous game was turnovers. After turning the ball over only 13 times against Barako Bull in their first game, the Elite coughed the ball up 18 times against TNT, which resulted in a +10 point difference in points off TOs in favor of the Texters. Needless to say, Blackwater will need to do a better job protecting the ball against Purefoods, which is second in the league in steals (8.5spg).
Blackwater turnovers per game: 15.5 (tied for 7th in the league)
Most TOs last game:
Marcus Douthit – 5
Raphy Reyes – 3
Brian Heruela – 3
- BLAKELY BUSTIN’ OUT
One guy who’s really been busting it out for the Hotshots is their import, Marqus Blakely. Much has been said about his size disadvantage compared to the 6’9 and above imports of many other teams, but nobody can sleep on his contributions. Despite being around 4-5 inches shorter than most imports, he remains one of the most productive ones out there. He didn’t score a ton in his previous game against Alaska, but he compensated in other departments like rebounding, defense, and leading his team in assists.
Vs ALA: 17pts, 11rebs, 7 asts, 3stls, 5/13 FGs.
- 2AM CONNECTION: ALEX MALLARI & ALLEIN MALIKSI
Picking up the slack in that game against the Aces was the duo of Alex Mallari and Allein Maliksi. Both guys aren’t top of mind when it comes to scoring threats on the Purefoods roster, but they were very productive when the Hotshots beat the Aces. If these guys continue to be scoring threats for coach Tim Cone, Purefoods can really go far.
Combined season averages: 13.0ppg, 5.5rpg, 37.2 FG%
Combined vs ALA: 28pts, 5rebs, 75.0 FG%
- FAB VETERANS
Veteran Hotshots Marc Pingris and James Yap also came up huge for Purefoods versus Alaska. Yap was among three guys to score 17 points for the Hotshots, while Ping was solid with a near-double-double. Both veteran players will surely play major roles moving forward for Purefoods, and if they can be consistent with this kind of production, then the Hotshots should be in good shape.
Ping vs ALA: 12pts, 8rebs, 1ast, 1stl, 4/7 FGs.
Yap vs ALA: 17pts 3asts, 2rebs, 6/11 FGs.
- GET ‘EM HOT & FAST!
Another weapon Purefoods unleashed on the hapless Aces was its fastbreak attack. Behind great rebounding and solid defense, the Hotshots were able to get a lot of opportunities to run and gun. Purefoods ended the game with a +11 advantage in fastbreak points.
PUR fastbreak points per game: 15.0 (3rd in the league)
BLACKWATER fastbreak defense allows 17.5 points per game (worst in the league)
- PREVIOUS MEETING: GUTSY STAND
In the previous and only meeting so far this season, Blackwater actually gave Purefoods a scare before falling short, 82-90. The Elite fell behind by as many as 15 points in the first half, but they were able to trim it to a manageable deficit in the third quarter. Purefoods, however, refused to let Blackwater get the upset. The Elite were great on the boards, outrebounding Purefoods, 54-39, but this was offset by their awful field goal shooting – 39% only compared to 49% for Purefoods.
Last game against each other:
PUR Leaders:
PJ Simon – 18pts, 9/13 FGs
Joe Devance – 16pts, 6asts, 4rebs, 7/9 FGs
Marc Pingris – 7pts, 8rebs, 6asts
BLA Leaders:
Bryan Faundo – 14pts, 10rebs, 3asts, 7/12 FGs
Sunday Salvacion – 14pts, 3 triples
Alex Nuyles – 12pts, 2stls, 2asts
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