FACING CHALLENGES HEAD-ON

Purefoods has really got itself going in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

After seeing their four-conference title streak snapped in the last Philippine Cup, the Hotshots now have a chance to be in a place where they never were when they won the Grand Slam last season: to finish on top after the elims.

And for Alex Mallari, the results have been driven by their desire to continue improving as the days go by.

“We’ve never placed higher than fifth or sixth, so it’s a new territory for us. We want to treat it carefully,” he said.

Mallari added, “(Winning) was always the goal. I think this time, we took every day, every game more than the past. And it feels good.”

For his part, the third-year swingman has been a barometer of sorts for the Hotshots, as he has been an invaluable asset this conference.

In their triple overtime thriller against Talk ‘N Text, Mallari posted a statline of 17 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. He followed it up with a scrappy performance against Barako Bull, where he only had two points and four rebounds, but assisted on eight baskets for the Hotshots.

“Personally, I’m happy to get back-to-back good games after three years,” Mallari said, looking back to his PBA D-League days with Big Chill. “I hope I can keep it going.”

And with their final game of the eliminations against Meralco on Friday, there is a chance that some of the key players might be rested in time for the quarterfinals.

Mallari assured that if and when that happens, he’ll still stay true to his mentality of being prepared whenever his number gets called.

“I like the challenge. It would give us a chance to step up and get our confidence up for the playoffs, while knowing that we still have the veterans on the bench,” said the 27-year-old. “It’s always just a matter of picking my spots.” (RL)

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