Warning: Undefined variable $column_strips in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 78
Blakely, Star take on Mahindra
Warning: Undefined variable $column_strips in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 153
Warning: Undefined variable $nocontent in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 236
Warning: Undefined variable $iscovid in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 239
Warning: Undefined variable $FEAT_STORIES in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 685
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, bool given in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 688
Warning: Undefined array key 0 in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 730
The Star Hotshots and champion import Marqus Blakely start chase of another glorious finish as they tangle with the Mahindra Enforcers under new coach Chris Gavina in the get-go of the 2016 PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
Both are raring to come out in their 7 p.m. encounter, determined to make a winning start in the tourney ruled by Arizona Reid and the San Miguel Beermen last year.
The Hotshots and Blakely were blanked by the Alaska Milk Aces and import Romeo Travis in their best-of-five semifinals showdown last season, thus, botching a bid for a three-peat in the season-ending tourney.
It was followed by dismal showings in the Philippine Cup and in the Commissioner’s Cup, making the Hotshots so eager to perform well in the 2016 Governors Cup.
Blakely said he is his old self, hopeful he can help the Star squad finally make a breakthrough under coach Jason Webb.
The Enforcers look as determined to perform, though, being still in search of a first playoff appearance in six PBA conferences.
They hope to draw good result under Gavina – their former skills and conditioning coach – and with imports James White and Iranian Iman Zandi.
Mahindra officials Bobby Rosales, Eric Pineda and Joe Lipa flew all the way to the United States to recruit White, said to be a versatile player from Arkansas-Little Rock and Georgia Tech.
“Ayaw na namin ng recommendation lang at scouted lang through videos,” said Pineda, the Enforcers team manager.
They didn’t settle as well for nobody as to their Asian reinforcement. The Mahindra backcourt is likely to draw boost from Zandi, an Iranian guard who is veteran of two Asian Games and two FIBA Asia Championships.
Listed at 6-2, the Isfahan, Iran native is a two-time Iranian Super League MVP (2002 and 2003) and five-time Iranian Super League top scorer (2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2014).
White and Zandi, however, are likely to face an acid test in their PBA debut versus Blakely and his Star teammates led by James Yap, PJ Simon and Marc Pingris.
Blakely is among the best imports ever seen in the league, leading the Star team to back-to-back Governors Cup title runs in 2013 and 2014.
The two-time American East Player of the Year with Vermont U has also helped the team to the 2012 finals versus Rain or Shine. (SB)
Warning: Undefined array key "TESTPAGE" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 254
Warning: Undefined array key "fb" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 280
Warning: Undefined variable $thinq in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 318
Warning: Undefined variable $var_sports_vlurb in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 328
Warning: Undefined variable $mindanaoQuake2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 442
Warning: Undefined variable $showSolicit_batanes in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 459
Warning: Undefined variable $seagames in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 475
Warning: Undefined variable $tokyoOlympics2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 481
Warning: Undefined variable $help_taal in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 490
Warning: Undefined variable $help_ompong in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 525
Warning: Undefined variable $elections_2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 538
Warning: Undefined variable $typhoon_2018_redirect in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 543
Warning: Undefined variable $ncov2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 555
Warning: Undefined variable $tyhoon2020_marthon in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 578
Warning: Undefined variable $dotnet23 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 585
Warning: Undefined variable $suicide in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 595
Warning: Undefined variable $yearend2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 600
Warning: Undefined array key "inqplus_test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 609
Warning: Undefined array key "newreadnext" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 664
Warning: Undefined array key "test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 802
EDITORS' PICK
Warning: Undefined variable $data_for_HompageFG_obj in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 816
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, null given in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 819
Warning: Undefined variable $MR_data_for_obj in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 850
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, null given in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 850
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
Warning: Undefined variable $bc_tag in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 1239