Back as Purefoods, franchise begins PH Cup title defense against Alaska

Calvin Abueva and the Alaska Aces will debut a new system against
James Yap, Allein Maliksi, and the former San Mig Coffee Mixers,
now under the new name Purefoods Star Hotshots. Nuki Sabio/PBA

By Dugout Philippines

The Purefoods Star Hotshots will make its 2015 PBA Philippine Cup debut against the Alaska Aces at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The club formerly known as the San Mig Coffee Mixers kicks off its bid for a fifth consecutive PBA title and the defense of its Philippine Cup plum against the Aces in the 7:00 PM game following the encounter between the Barako Bull Energy Cola and the Meralco Bolts at 4:00 PM.

Aiming for a second consecutive grand slam after sweeping all the championships on the line last season, Purefoods, the original name of the franchise, looks toward the growth of its players.

"What we promise is that we’ll tap the talent of each player and make them play to the best of their abilities," said Purefoods Governor Rene Pardo.

The Hotshots, however, will play minus Marc Pingris as he will take a time off after donning the national team colors.

Alaska, on the other hand, looks to build on a solid run in the Governors' Cup as Alex Compton begins his first full season with the team.

Team manager Dickie Bachmann, however, revealed that the Aces will set aside the triangle offense taught to them by current Hotshots coach Tim Cone, their former longtime mentor, as they will play more of a run-and-gun game this season.