Blakely, Star take on Mahindra
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)
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.
