HOTSHOTS OPEN DEFENSE OF FINAL CROWN
Purefoods Star starts defense of the last remaining jewel from its grand slam run last year when it takes on NLEX in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Saturday.
The Hotshots, with prized import Marqus Blakely, actually chase a three-peat, a tough achievement done in the league just twice – by Alaska and Talk n Text – in the post Crispa-Toyota era.
The Aces ruled the third conference four in a row in their dominant years in the 90s while the Tropang Texters reigned supreme in the Philippine Cup for three straight years (2012-14).
The Hotshots topped the Petron Blaze Boosters for the Governors’ Cup crown in 2013 and then kept the championship with a Finals conquest of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last year.
Blakely and his teammates are determined to stretch their reign especially as the Hotshots failed in their title defenses in the Philippine Cup and in the Commissioner’s Cup.
The Road Warriors have found themselves in a tough spot as the Hotshots’ first assignment in the tourney. The two teams play at 5:15 p.m. with NLEX reeling from a 96-101 drubbing from Barako Bull Tuesday.
What could be a comforting thought for the Road Warriors is that they don’t face a seven-foot import versus Purefoods. Barako behemoth Liam McMorrow dealt NLEX a severe beating in their match with 33 points and 22 rebounds.
But with his quickness, versatility and high-leaping ability, Blakely has proved he can compete with anybody as he led Purefoods to a 3-0 win-loss start in the Commissioner’s Cup as a stand-in import.
And feeling the pain of Purefoods’s semifinal loss in the Commissioner’s Cup, Blakely said he would be doubly motivated as he tries to lead the Hotshots to a Governors’ Cup “three-peat.”
NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez, meanwhile, is hopeful their regular import Kwame Alexander can do a lot better in his second game in the local pro league.
A replacement to original choice Rob Jones, Alexander struggled for 16 points, 10 rebounds and two assists against five turnovers against Barako.
Asian import Michel Madanly helped the Road Warriors back in the fight before being sidelined by an injury sustained in a collision with Dylan Ababou late in the third. Though failing to return, Madanly topscored for the Road Warriors with 26 points, including three triples.
Though cleared of any major injury, Madanly is still in pain. Fernandez said Madanly’s status is day-to-day. (SB)
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