Purefoods off to strong 2-0 start after routing Alaska

MANILA, Philippines – They’re back.

After getting eliminated at just the quarterfinals of the Philippine Cup as defending Grand Slam champions, the Purefoods Star Hotshots are clearly back with a vengeance in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The Hotshots looked like their former deadly selves two games in, pummeling last conference’s runners-up Alaska Aces, 108-88, on Tuesday, February 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“For the first time in a long time, we seem to be ready this conference,” said head coach Tim Cone.

Five players scored in double figures for Purefoods, which rose to 2-0 after tonight’s win, a rarity for the former 4-peat champions who always had to cram in between conferences owing to their title runs.

“We were where Alaska is to start the last two or 3 conferences with very little practice time, turnaround time is so quick, you got guys who are not a hundred percent, and not much practice time with the import. All those things conspired to help us.”

Alex Mallari, James Yap, and import Marqus Blakely all had 17 points apiece. While Marc Pingris and Allein Maliksi tallied 12 and 11 points, respectively.

A well-rested Purefoods out-rebounded Alaska by 51-35, with Blakely leading the way with his 11 boards. The triangle offense-oriented team also dished out 25 assists compared to just 13 by the Aces.

“We’re trying to get off to a quick start,” said Cone. “This is a huge hurdle for us, get up 2-0 and create some momentum early on in the conference and that’s really our goal.”

Alaska import DJ Covington registered a game-high 19 points on top of 5 rebounds. While rookie Chis Banchero and Calvin Abueva added 16 and 12 markers, respectively, for Alaska, whose comeback switch was offline tonight just over a week since their grueling 7-game Finals series versus San Miguel Beer.

“I was on the edge of my seat the entire game because I watched the Finals and I watched how many times Alaska came back from 20-point leads, and we were very aware of that,” Cone remarked.

Purefoods stepped on the gas pedal from tip off, zooming to a 16-4 lead early on and they never relinquished the advantage, leading by as much as 26, 83-57, nearing the end of the third.

Alaska, on the other hand, simply looked slow and flat their first night out and not even coach Alex Compton’s encouragements from the sideline could wake his players up.

“Everyone is involved, let’s go. Don’t just watch,” Compton called out to his team, which played sans big man Sonny Thoss and guard JVee Casio, who were regulated to the injured/reserve list.

Thoss is said to be out for 4 weeks due to a plantar fasciitis injury in his foot, while Casio will take two weeks to nurse an arm injury.

Scores:

PUREFOODS (108) – Mallari 17, Blakely 17, Yap 17, Pingris 12, Maliksi 11, Melton 9, Reavis 8, Barroca 7, Devance 4, Alvarez 3, Pennisi 3, Simon 0, Gaco 0, Allado 0.

ALASKA (88) – Covington 19, Banchero 16, Abueva 12, Manuel 8, Baguio 7, Menk 7, Jazul 5, Espinas 4, Vanlandingham 3, Hontiveros 3, Dela Rosa 2, Dela Cruz 2, Eman 0, Exciminiano 0.

Quarterscores: 27-14, 57-35, 86-63, 108-88

– Rappler.com