Purefoods gets big lift from bench in win over Blackwater
Getting a big lift from its solid bench, defending champion Purefoods Star compounded the woes of Blackwater on Friday night with a 98-86 victory that gave the Hotshots a share of the lead in the PBA Commissioners Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Do-it-all import Marqus Blakely had another all-around performance of 23 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and three steals while the Hotshots’ shock troopers, led by guards Justin Melton, Mark Barroca and Allein Maliksi, stepped up in the second half, enabling them to pull away for good from the Elite.
Barroca finished with 13 markers while Melton and Maliksi had 12 points apiece as Purefoods Star streaked to its third consecutive win in as many starts and tied idle Meralco anew at the top of the 12-team field.
Marcus Douthit scattered 30 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists while two other locals—guard Brian Heruela and Bryan Faundo—had at least 10 markers but the Elite still dropped their third straight game.
After a slow start, the Hotshots shifted to high gear late in the second canto and unloaded a 12-3 bomb—mainly anchored on Blakely—that enabled them to stretch their lead to 11 and take a 52-44 cushion at the break.
The Elite, however, refused to easily roll down and die as Faundo kept them in the thick of things and provided the help for Douthit, who then made a jumper that pulled them within five at 63-68.
But Purefoods Star’s reserves made the biggest difference, teaming up in a decisive push bridging the last two cantos—highlighted by a strong 11-2 run punctuated by Melton’s emphatic alley-oop jam off Barroca—for a 91-74 lead, virtually sealing the deal with under seven minutes left.
The Main Men: The Hotshots’ bench made life easier for import Marqus Blakely, with Mark Barroca, Justin Melton and Allein Maliksi conspiring in a decisive pull-away in the second half.
Honorable Mention: Despite an injured shoulder, the 6-foot-5 Blakely stood tall anew with a 23 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and three steals—and even enjoyed the view from the team’s bench for much of the payoff canto.
Game Turning Point: After Blackwater import Marcus Douthit made a jumper that pulled them within 63-68, Purefoods Star answered right back big-time behind its shock troopers, who unloaded several strong runs, the last an 11-2 run for a big 91-74 lead with under seven minutes left.
Stat of the Game: Thanks to their suffocating defense, the Hotshots forced the Elite to make 19 errors which they translated to 21 points, 19 more than their rivals.
Next Games:
Purefoods Star versus NLEX on Feb. 11 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum
Blackwater versus San Miguel Beer on Feb. 11 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum
He Said It:
Purefoods Star coach Tim Cone: We’re a little scattered out there. We could not execute well on both ends. I thought our second group came out and kinda busted out the game for us.
The scores:
PUREFOODS 98 - Blakely 23, Pingris 14, Barroca 13, Melton 12, Maliksi 12, Yap 9, Devance 7, Mallari 4, Taha 2, Reavis 2, Simon 0, Alvarez 0, Gaco 0, Allado 0, Pennisi 0.
BLACKWATER 86 - Douthit 30, Faundo 14, Heruela 10, Gamalinda 9, Laure 6, Canada 5, Acuna 5, Bulawan 4, Celiz 3, Timberlake 0, Reyes 0, Nuyles 0, Erram 0, Ballesteros 0, Austria 0.
Quarterscores: 23-23, 52-44, 74-63, 98-86.
