PBA: Blakely hosts block party with seven denials as Purefoods pummels GlobalPort

Marqus blakely had 26 points, 18 rebounds, and seven blocked shots to lead the Purefoods Star Hotshots past the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 83-70, on Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

"Marcus comes in for us, he's like a warm blanket for us," said Purefoods head coach Tim Cone of his import. "We know what to do with him. I think it's kind of an advantage, he plays like a 6'9 in terms of rebounding, he had 7 blocks tonight [which] shows what kind of a person, an athlete that he is."

Mark Barroca and Alex Mallari were also solid as starters, posting 11 and 10 points, respectively. The two guards combined for 13 rebounds and four assists. James Yap was just 3 of 13 from the field for nine points.

"We got back to being a tough offensive team; we're able to sustain our defense," added Cone, as his wards outscored their opponents in every quarter. "If we want to get to the mountain top we need to do it defensively."

Cone also praised Marc Pingris, who did a good job bodying up against the thinner GlobalPort import CJ Leslie:

"Ping was not supposed to play today. I informed management but he came in and came up to me [saying], 'Coach, can I try it" and [I] told him, 'ok I'll bring you off the bench. He's one of the best in guarding imports; it's nice to have him back."

CJ Leslie led GlobalPort with 25 points and nine rebounds, while Terrence Romeo tallied 19 points. The rest of the Batang Pier starting lineup combined for just 11, though, while Denok Miranda added 10 off the bench. - RAF, GMA News


The 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