Alex Mallari of Purefoods (dark) vs Cyrus Baguio of Alaska (light). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
Daniel Orton watched from courtside last night and saw exactly what kind of team he could be joining in the next couple of days.
Purefoods broke away in the second quarter and encountered little resistance from Alaska from there, carving out a 108-88 victory to share the lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
The defending champion Star Hotshots took a 57-35 lead at the half and went on to lead by as large as 26 points in another impressive display, prompting coach Tim Cone to declare how ready his charges are for a repeat.
“I haven’t said this in a long time, but we seem to be ready this conference,” Cone said, adding that he has a “good problem” in keeping Marqus Blakely or making Orton see action on Friday.
Blakely was dominant in Purefoods’ second straight triumph despite being the shortest import in the lot, shooting 17 points that went with 11 rebounds and seven assists in just 35 minutes of play.
Orton will start practice today and could suit up on Friday against Blackwater.
Earlier, Rain or Shine paid tribute to the heroic Fallen 44 of the Philippine National Police and got the job done on the floor, scoring a 96-91 victory over NLEX for its first win.
Paul Lee scored the final six Rain or Shine points inside the last 73 seconds.
The coaching staff wore black arm bands and the players black patches with the number 44 on their jerseys.
“It’s just our way of paying tribute to the families of those 44,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, also a congressman from Pampanga, said.
The scores:
First Game
RAIN OR SHINE 96—Lee 25, Jackson 17, Almazan 10, Uyloan 9, Norwood 8, Chan 8, Arana 6, Ibanes 5, Cruz 4, Tang 2, Belga 2, Tiu 0, Quinahan 0.
NLEX 91—Thornton 28, Lingganay 19, Taulava 17, Cardona 7, Borboran 6, Ramos 6, Villanueva J. 4, Canaleta 2, Villanueva E. 2, Hermida 0, Camson 0, Apinan 0, Arboleda 0, Baloria 0, Soyud 0.
Quarters: 25-18, 43-34, 73-65, 96-91
Second Game
PUREFOODS 108—Mallari 17, Blakely 17, Yap 17, Pingris 12, Maliksi 11, Melton 9, Reavis 8, Barroca 7, Devance 4, Alvarez 3, Pennisi 3, Simon 0, Gaco 0, Allado 0.
ALASKA 88—Covington 19, Banchero 16, Abueva 12, Manuel 8, Baguio 7, Menk 7, Jazul 5, Espinas 4, Vanlandingham 3, Hontiveros 3, Dela Rosa 2, Dela Cruz 2, Eman 0, Exciminiano 0.
Quarters: 27-14, 57-35, 86-63, 108-88