Blakely powers Purefoods rout of Alaska

Marqus Blakely of Purefoods (dark) vs DJ Cuvington and Tony Dela Cruz of Alaska (light). PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines — Purefoods Star never trailed in a thorough 108-88 beating of an injury-depleted Alaska side in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Tuesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Hotshots took an early double-digit lead and the debuting Aces, reeling from the absence of their two injured stars Sonny Thoss and JVee Casio, never recovered.

“For the first time in a long time, we seemed to be ready this conference,” said Purefoods head coach Tim Cone. “We were finally off a quick start.”

Purefoods’ lead swelled to 24, 55-31, on a jumper by James Yap late in the second quarter. The Hotshots sustained their strong play in the second half and continued to lead big, 83-57, on a layup by Justin Melton off a steal on Alaska guard RJ Jazul with 1:45 left in the third quarter.

Alex Mallari scored 17 points for the Hotshots, who improved to 2-0 after beating Globalport in their previous game. James Yap had 17 points as well.

Thoss sat out with a plantar fasciitis in his right foot – the same injury which bothered him last conference while Casio was in street clothes due to an arm injury.

It was definitely not the kind of debut the Aces had imagined especially after coming off a Philippine Cup stint in which they came just a 3-pointer away from winning the championship in Game 7 against the San Miguel Beermen.

Daniel Orton, Purefoods’ first-choice import, arrived Tuesday night.

Orton, who played 51 games in the NBA while suiting up for three different teams, will immediately join Purefoods in practice Wednesday. He is set to replace Marqus Blakely, who is already locked up as Purefoods’ import in the third conference.

Blakely also finished with 17 points and collected 11 rebounds, seven assists and three steals in what could be his final game for the Hotshots this conference.

DJ Covington had 19 points to lead the Aces but he was hardly felt in the first two quarters where the Hotshots gained control. Covington only scored four points on 2-of-6 shooting from the field and grabbed three rebounds in the first half.