MAKING HIS MONSTER PRESENCE FELT
Purefoods seems to be peaking just at the right time.
And their last two wins just showed the character of the team.
For Denzel Bowles, such victories are the ones they need as the Hotshots prepare for the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.
“We had a fight last game and all we wanted to do is to grind it out to get the win,” said Bowles who had 30 points, 15 rebounds, six assists, and four blocks in Purefoods’ 118-117 triple overtime win over Talk ‘N Text on Saturday.
That definitely played a factor in their succeeding game against Barako Bull, where a cunning Solomon Alabi flexed his muscles against the balik-import.
“We’re just tired, we had a long trip and (Alabi) took advantage,” said Bowles, who followed up his masterful performance with 34 points, 17 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in Purefoods’ 103-96 victory against the Energy.
“We won so that’s all that matters.”
Bowles attributes the team’s rise to its camaraderie, a factor its success last season, as well as the entry of incoming Governors’ Cup import Marqus Blakely.
“(Marqus) definitely pushes us to the next level. He brings a lot of energy. That’s what the team wants and that’s what the team needs. It’s always good to have two people that’s familiar with the system,” Bowles said. “He brings another dynamic to the team in practice. He’s getting ready for the third conference too and he’s helping the team out. There’s no lapse when I leave and he’ll just keep doing what we’re doing.”
At 7-3, Purefoods is now primed to snag one of the two spots with the twice-to-beat luxury in the quarterfinals, and for Bowles, he’s happy with what he’s seeing.
“We’re just trying to control what we can control. We’re just trying to go out and whatever happens happens.” (RL)
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