PUREFOODS GAINS SHARE OF LEAD
Marqus Blakely put in another sterling job as Purefoods Star’s stand-in import and drew the support that he needed from their shock-troopers as the Hotshots roared to a third straight win with a 98-86 whipping of the Blackwater Elite in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
Blakely came up with 23 points and 13 rebounds while Mark Barroca, Justin Melton and Allein Maliksi all delivered double-digit outputs coming off the bench as Purefoods negated Marcus Douthit’s near triple-double game with 30 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
Even with Purefoods’ starters taking some rest, the Hotshots dominated the Elite three-fourths of the way in making it three in a row following earlier victories over GlobalPort and Alaska.
“I didn’t feel we’re in complete focus. But we put in an effort good enough to win,” said Purefoods coach Tim Cone.
“Our second group came out and busted the game open for us, allowing us to rest James (Yap), Joe (Devance) and our big guys,” Cone also said.
The Hotshots will now take a five-day break and will already have Daniel Orton as import as they play the NLEX Road Warriors Wednesday.
“Daniel is in good place coming in. Hopefully, he can come in and keep us going. Marqus (Blakely) has a shoulder issue that he has to take care of in the US. He’ll fix his shoulder and get back by the third conference,” said Cone.
Orton has been measured at six feet and nine inches, making him eligible to play in the tourney. He was in the gallery as Blakely led Purefoods to victories over Alaska and Blackwater.
Blakely flexed his muscles the hardest in the second quarter where the Hotshots built momentum for their 12-point win over the Elite, who remained winless through 14 games in the season.
One more loss and Blackwater ties Welcoat’s 15-game slump bridging 2007 and 2008. The all-time longest losing record (18 games in the 1980 season) belongs to Presto-Great Taste
Quickening the pace, the Hotshots cut loose from a 23-all count at the start of the second period and took a 52-44 cushion at the half.
The Hotshots scored seven fastbreak points to none for the Elite as Purefoods pounded Blackwater, 29-21, in the second quarter.
One highlight fastbreak play came from Melton following a Blackwater error. Melton sprinted down court then executed a throw-down with his back to the basket.
Blakely and Devance carried the cudgels for the Hotshots in that period where Douthit started to be aggressive on the offensive end, scoring 10 points on 4-of-7 field shooting.
Purefoods led by 11, 50-39, shortly before the end of the second period and was still very much in control, 74-63, heading to the final canto. (SB)
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