By Dugout Philippines
Purefoods made a gamble by giving the green light for usual Governors' Cup import Marqus Blakely to play in the Commissioner's Cup, and it paid dividends as the former Governors' Cup Best Import waxed hot in the team's 83-70 rout of GlobalPort in the nightcap of the PBA doubleheader at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Blakely proved he can also dominate in the conference where Denzel Bowles once ruled for the Hotshots as the former NBA player tallied 26 points, 18 rebounds, seven blocks, four assists, and two steals in 36 minutes of play.
Purefoods pulled away in the second half to begin its title defense on a high note.
Mark Barroca added 11 points and nine rebounds for the Hotshots, who are raring to bounce back from losing its Philippine Cup title last conference.
C.J. Leslie led the Batang Pier with 25 points, nine rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal.
Box Scores:
Purefoods 83-Blakely 26, Barroca 11, Mallari 10, Yap 9, Melton 8, Pingris 6, Devance 6, Maliksi 5, Reavis 2, Alvarez 0, Pennisi 0, Gaco 0, Allado 0
GlobalPort 70-Leslie 25, Romeo 19, Miranda 10, Pringle 4, Ponferada 4, Semerad 3, Taha 2, Isip 2, Pinto 1, Buenafe 0, Caperal 0, Nabong 0, Baclao 0
Quarterscores: 21-20, 41-36, 57-46, 83-70
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