#PBA2015 PLAYOFF PREVIEW: PUREFOODS STAR HOTSHOTS vs ALASKA ACES (GAME 2) – KAKASA BA, O AYAWAN NA?

The Alaska Aces have always been known for their spunk and their resiliency, but in Game 1 they were just flat out destroyed by the Purefoods Star Hotshots. PUR dominated from the get-go, dropping 31 pts on ALA in the first quarter and limiting the Aces to just 7pts. PUR never let up, building a lead as high as 36 pts en route to their statement win. Base sa unang laro, mukhang wala nang pag-asa ang ALA, pero kilala natin ang team na ito. Kakasa ‘to, pero ang tanong ay kaya pa ba nilang talunin ang isang Purefoods team?

Here are some things to watch in this game:

1. JDV SETS THE TONE

Versatile Joe Devance set the tone in Game 1 for PUR, hitting 2 triples in the first period that typified the Hotshots’ unbridled dominance. JDV would finish with just 10 points on 50% FG shooting, but he did damage in other areas — grabbing 8 rebounds and handing out 7 assists. He showcased practically his whole aresenal in Game 1, and if he can duplicate that in Game 2, then this series is done.

Comm Cup elims stats: 8.8ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.8apg, 23.1 3pt%, 40.0 FG%
Game 1: 10pts, 8rebs, 7asts, 2 triples, 50.0 FG%
2. BROKEN BY BOWLES

Import Denzel Bowles didn’t put up monster numbers in Game 1, but he didn’t have to as the Hotshots got great production from all corners. Bowles played under 30 minutes for the first time this conference, not because of foul trouble or because he was playing badly, but because PUR didn’t really need him as much as they usually do. That’s how well the Hotshots played.

Game 1: 20pts, 8rebs, 5asts, 2blks, 9/12 FG shooting in only 22.5 minutes.
3. JAMES SIZZLES

One reason PUR was playing so well was its iconic wingman, James Yap, was really on-target. The 2004 draft pick had his best game of the conference, drilling in 7 of his 10 FGs, including 2 treys, on his way to a conference-high 18 points. This he did playing just 24 minutes. If Big Game James can approximate that level of efficiency moving forward, then PUR has a strong chance of sweeping this short series.

Comm Cup elims stats: 10.4ppg, 1.2apg, 38.9 FG%, 0.9 triples per game
Game 1: 18pts, 2 asts, 7/10 FGs, 2 triples
4. HOTSHOTS INDEED

As a team, PUR was just on fire, hitting 60.5% of its FGs and 61.9% of its 3pt attempts. PUR could hardly miss in this game, with Lester Alvarez the only player fielded in who failed to score, and that’s because he didn’t take even one attempt. Every other PUR player who took a shot made at least one. This shouldn’t come as a shock since PUR was the #1 shooting team in the elims, but to shoot nearly 61% from the field is still absolutely jaw-dropping. They also more than doubled their three-point makes, hitting 13 triples compared to their average of just 6.3 per game.

FG%: Elims – 45.1%, Game 1 – 60.5%
3pt%: Elims – 32.2% Game 1 – 61.9%
3pt makes: Elims 6.3 per game, Game 1 – 13
5. BRICK BY BORING BRICK

In contrast to PUR’s hot shooting, the Alaska Aces built a house one boring brick at a time. ALA is supposed to be one of the better FG shooting teams in the league at 42.3% accuracy, but they struggled in this one, making only 39.3% of their attempts. That clip is lower than league-worst MER’s 39.7% in the elims. In the playoffs with every game having high stakes, that kind of anaemic shooting just won’t cut it.

Elims: 33.7 FGs made per game, 42.3% accuracy (Top 5)
Game 1: 33 FGs made, but only 39.3% accuracy
Cyrus Baguio – 1/7 = 14.3%
Calvin Abueva – 2/10 = 20.0%
Dondon Hontiveros – 0/5 = 0.0%
Sonny Thoss – 0/3 = 0.0%
Damion James – 7/18 = 38.8%
6. DAMION UNDONE

Damion James racked up his eighth double-double in as many games, but the volume-shooting import couldn’t really carry his team to the W. He came into this game with improved FG shooting, making nearly 50% of his field goals from his last 2 games, but he just missed a ton, going 7/18 from the floor. He didn’t exactly play terribly, but the Aces will certainly need him to perform much better if they are to bounce back in Game 2.

Comm Cup stats: 28.3ppg, 15.3rpg, 2.1apg, 2.1spg, 1.4bpg, 40.3 FG%
Game 1: 21pts, 10rebs, 1ast, 1stl, 38.9 FG%
7. VETERANS FIZZLE OUT

Aside from its import playing in a mediocre fashion, ALA also drew uninspired production from, unexpectedly, its veteran crew. The trio of Cyrus Baguio, Dondon Hontiveros, and Sonny Thoss didn’t really do their team any favors in this one, combining to shoot just 1/15 from the field to score a grand total of 2 points. Without a doubt, these seasoned players will have to really step up in Game 2 if ALA is to survive.

Baguio: 2pts, 1/7 FGs, 3rebs, 3asts
Thoss: 0pts, 0rebs, 0/3 FGs, 2 turnovers
Hontiveros: 0pts, 0/5 FGs, 4rebs, 2asts
8. CLOBBERED ON THE GLASS

Aside from the fact they were grossly outshot, the Aces were also grossly outrebounded in this one. PUR’s energy and hustle just got the better of the Aces, who were coming off a tight win over Ginebra two days prior. ALA is not really the league’s best rebounding team, but to get clobbered on the glass by 16 rebounds is just crazy. With usual reliables like Thoss, Abueva, and Vic Manuel combining to grab just 6 boards, the Aces just couldn’t get things going.

ALA rebs per game: 46.5 (11th)
ALA rebs allowed per game: 49.2 (top 5)
ALA rebs in Game 1: 35
ALA rebs allowed in Game 1: 51
9. MARQUEE MATCH-UP: JOE DEVANCE VS CALVIN ABUEVA

With JDV coming up with a great performance in Game 1, it’s going to be interesting how Calvin Abueva responds. Abueva, a popular choice as a Gilas Pilipinas prospect, should be able to bounce back in Game 2, but the questions is will it be enough to counter-balance JDV’s production and supplement the rest of his own team’s performance? Even if Abueva puts up beastly numbers in Game 2, it won’t matter if the rest of his teammates still struggle. In contrast, PUR is just so deep that they can afford for JDV not to be as great as he was in Game 1. Still, this is maybe the most interesting match-up to watch in Game 2.

JDV stats after Game 1: 8.9ppg, 6.2rpg, 3.2apg, 40.8 FG%
Abueva stats after Game 1: 10.2ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.3apg, 45.0 FG%

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