MANILA, Philippines - Purefoods Star, fielding Governors Cup resident import Marqus Blakely while still waiting for Daniel Orton, takes on Globalport to start its title defense in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome tonight.
Though Blakely is at least four inches shorter than CJ Leslie and local center Yousef Taha who is serving the first of his two-game suspension, Purefoods coach Tim Cone is hopeful they can match up well and compete with Globalport in their 7 p.m. tiff.
“We’ve had the reputation as slow starters, but we’re really hoping to get out of the gate quickly this conference,” said Cone. “That is one of our main goals. We certainly don’t want to play from behind.”
Cone said Leslie, Stanley Pringle and Terrence Romeo would be their main concerns defensively.
“Leslie, Pringle and Romeo are tough matchups for any team, so we’ll have to find some solutions for them if we expect to win,” said Cone.
The Globalport trio all delivered sterling all-around games as the Batang Pier subdued the Kia Carnival and their hulking 7-foot-3 import Peter John Ramos, 100-89, in the tournament opener Tuesday.
Later, the Meralco Bolts, banking on the performance of import Josh Davis, whipped the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 84-75.
Davis and the Bolts go for a second straight win as they tangle with the Carnival in tonight’s other game at 4:15 p.m.
“We want to keep the momentum going and build on the win versus Ginebra,” said Meralco coach Norman Black. “Our main concern will be how to contain Ramos and his inside play while not giving up too many treys to their guards.”
Davis came through with 25 points and 24 rebounds to power the Bolts past the Kings.
But Ramos, the tallest import in the tourney, was much more productive with 41 markers and 20 boards in Kia’s initial game in the mid-season tourney.
Leslie came up with 31 points and 14 rebounds and drew tremendous support from Romeo and Pringle as they negated Ramos’ whopping numbers.
Tonight, the question is how the Hotshots could contain Leslie with their lack in ceiling.
Orton is still finishing his playing commitment in the Chinese league. Taha should be starting at center spot but drew a two-game suspension for punching Rain or Shine import Rick Jackson in a recent tune-up game.
Minus Taha, Purefoods turns to Rafi Reavis to help Blakely man the paint.