Hotshots face Batang Pier

Defending champion Purefoods Star Hotshots make their much-awaited debut in the PBA Philippine Cup today with an undersized import in Marqus Blakely when they battle Globalport and CJ Leslie at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

Game time is 7 p.m. with Blakely, who may be lacking in size but never in heart, pinch-hitting for the Hotshots, who are awaiting the arrival of NBA veteran Daniel Orton. Because of a previous commitment, Orton will be available only in the middle of next month.

But that doesn’t mean Purefoods is not as formidable as the other powerhouses in the tournament as Blakely can give the Hotshots a different look.

With the 6-foot-4 Blakely, Purefoods can opt to play a little quicker than the other teams, who have post-up, 6-foot-9 imports like Leslie.

Terrence Romeo and rookie Stanley Pringle will be Leslie’s chief backups even as James Yap, Peter June Simon, Marc Pingris and Joe Devance give Blakely, a former Best Import awardee, the support he needs.

Leslie scattered 33 points that went with 15 rebounds when the Batang Pier downed the KIA Motors Carnival in the league’s opening game Tuesday.

Purefoods won this tournament last year as San Mig Coffee with James Mays as reinforcement, turning back Talk ‘N Text in four games in the best-of-five title series. Mays is not available and the Hotshots’ original import choice, Denzel Bowles, was over the 6-9 height limit.

Blakely will be the defending champion Purefoods’ import in the season-ending Governors’ Cup in two months’ time.

Purefoods bombed out in the first round of the Philippine Cup playoffs and is trying to make amends by starting strong start here.

Globalport will actually be gunning to keep at least its share of the early lead with a win as Meralco guns for a second straight win like the Batang Pier when it clashes with KIA Motors.

The Bolts also unveiled a gem of a find in the southpaw Josh Davis, who led Meralco to the first upset of the conference, an 85-74 decision of the highly touted Ginebra Gin Kings.

Against the Carnival in the 4:15 p.m. game, Davis will again have his hands full trying to contain 7-foot-3 PJ Ramos, the Puerto Rican national team slotman who posted 41 points and 20 rebounds in his maiden game.