#marqus blakely

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SCOUTING REPORT | Can Joel Wright emulate Marqus Blakely’s success with Star?

NBA D-League photo Many Star Hotshots fans are still in shock by their team’s decision to part ways with Marqus Blakely, their go-to import for the past four years. With Star stumbling on a 1-3 start in the PBA Governors’ Cup, the Hotshots felt that now is the proper time to move on from Blakely, a former Best Import who just two years ago helped the franchise complete a Grand Slam finish. For Hotshots fans, 2014 feels like a lifetime already. The squad, which once built a dynasty by winning four straight championships, has struggled all season-long, not even getting past the quarterfinals of the first two conferences this year. Some fans have blamed rookie coach Jason Webb behind Star’s hardships. Some also point out that the aging Hotshots star trio of James Yap (34), PJ Simon (36) and Marc Pingris (34) hasn’t been effective as they were two years ago. Whatever the reason is, one thing is certain: Star wants to inject new blood into the system, and the team is hoping that letting go of Blakely in favor of new import Joel Wright will turn the Hotshots’ season around. But can Wright steer Star to the right direction? Wright, a forward out of Texas State, will be getting his first taste of overseas basketball with Star. After going undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft, Wright spent the past two years in the NBA D-League where he played for the Delaware 87ers, Idaho Stampede, Bakersfield Jam and Iowa Energy. Judging by his numbers, Wright’s play is almost a carbon copy of Blakely’s. Wright had career averages of 14.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals—indications of him being an all-around player like Blakely. Wright also doesn’t have an outside shot, again just like Blakely, as he only connected 17 percent of his three-pointers during his NBA D-League career. But while he lacks skills in that department, Wright makes up for it by drawing fouls. He once ranked third in free throw attempts (9.1) per 48 minutes in the D-League, according to the league’s official stats database. He is a decent shooter from the line, averaging 81.7 percent. Wright also made a living inside the rim, converting an impressive 57.6 percent (110 of 191) of his shots in the restricted area. He is an excellent slasher with an array of moves under the basket, which explains why he gets fouled a lot. With his 225-lb frame, Wright should be fine guarding opposing imports. But whether he would bring the same intensity and intangibles as what Blakely once did remains to be seen. Remember, what Blakely brings to the table is beyond basketball. He’s not just an ordinary import; after all the battles that he went through with Star, he was able to create a special bond with his teammates. A bond so special that even Pingris went emotional seeing him say goodbye. To send Blakely packing is a huge gamble made by Star, and obviously one the management is willing to take. If Wright turns out to be the import Star has been looking for to rejuvenate its campaign, fans would laud this bold move. But if he fails, the blame game will certainly continue for Star diehards. http://j.mp/2aOamP0

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Pingris spends last night with Blakely before import parts ways with Star: ‘Hindi lang import turing namin sa kanya’

Sports5/Pranz Kaeno Billones For several seasons, Marc Pingris and import Marqus Blakely teamed up to provide hustle and energy for the Star Hotshots franchise, translating in plenty of postseason success. Blakely won two championships for the franchise, even helping them win a Grand Slam in 2014. So it came as a surprise when Blakely, a former Best Import awardee, was dropped by a reluctant and saddened Star organization in the middle of the ongoing Oppo PBA Governors’ Cup. “Sobrang nakakalungkot lang yung nangyari. Pero ganun talaga, trabaho talaga, wala kang magagawa,” Pingris told InterAksyon.com. For Pingris, Blakely was more than just an import, but a part of the family. “Kumbaga sa amin kasi hindi lang import turing namin sa kanya. Five seasons rin siyang kasama. Kahit hindi niya sabihin, alam ko masakit yun para sa kanya. Pero wala tayong magagawa kung yun rin talaga gusto ng management. Kailangan nating igalang yung desisyon nila kasi baka nakikita nila para sa team rin talaga,” said Pingris. Blakely will be replaced by Joel Wright, who watched Sunday’s All-Star Game and supported his teammates James Yap, Mark Barroca, RR Garcia and Pingris. But Blakely was able to organize a last-minute get-together to properly say good-bye to his teammates before parting ways with the squad. “Lumabas kami kagabi ni Marqus tapos nag-usap kami. Sabi ko naman sa kanya you’re always welcome dito kahit walang laro dito. Puwede kang matulog sa bahay, welcome ka dito,” Pingris said. “Siya pa mismo yung nag-invite sa amin. Kumbaga bago siya umuwi, gusto niyang magsalo-salo kaming lahat. Ganun siya sa amin. Maraming mga fans, maraming taong nagsabi bakit nangyari yung ganito. Pero sabi ko rin sa kanya na baka may purpose si Lord. Malay mo baka pagpunta niya sa Amerika mag-tryout siya sa NBA makuha siya,” he added. “Sabi ko lang welcome siya dito at mahal namin siya.” http://j.mp/2aE2kIc

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Star Hotshots part ways with former Best Import Marqus Blakely

Sports5/Paul Ryan Tan The Star Hotshots have decided to cut ties with former Best Import Marqus Blakely. Joel Wainwright, who played five games in the NBA Summer League just recently, has been tapped to replace Blakely. The Jamaican Wainwright arrived Saturday morning and already met Star’s team manager Alvin Patrimonio. Last conference, the Hotshots gave former Best Import Denzel Bowles a pink slip for failing to live up to expectations. He was replaced by Ricardo Ratliffe. This time, the Hotshots are set to replace another fan favorite in Blakely, a part of the franchise’s 2014 Grand Slam team. The decision to replace Blakely came on the heels of the team’s struggles in the Governors’ Cup. The Hotshots are currently at 11th spot with a 1-3 record. http://j.mp/2aBg5rk

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Garcia lifts Star over GlobalPort in OT

PBA IMAGES Star rode on RR Garcia late to outlast GlobalPort, 105-102, in overtime for its first win in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup Sunday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Garcia scored eight of his team-high 26 points in overtime, including a pair of free throws off a deliberate foul called against Stanley Pringle that put the Hotshots ahead for good, 104-102, with 8.4 seconds left. Garcia also made a layup with 3.7 ticks remaining in regulation to force OT. Star notched its first victory in three games while GlobalPort fell to 0-3. The post Garcia lifts Star over GlobalPort in OT appeared first on Philippine Basketball Association. http://j.mp/2app7dZ

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Marqus Blakely Shows the Euro Step! | Governors Cup 2016

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Star players want to bring back old winning attitude: ‘Kailangan ipakita na hindi kami pipitsuging team’

PBA Media Bureau The key players from the Star Hotshots, two years removed from winning the coveted Grand Slam, are still trying to recapture the winning culture they had under former coach Tim Cone. But Marc Pingris, Mark Barroca and import Marqus Blakely – all members of those historic 2014 title teams – all continue to believe that they can become champions again if only they can play more consistent as a team. Pingris believes, though, that they are no longer as respected by opponents as they once were. “Minsan nga, sa tingin ko kapag kalaban kami ng ibang players, ‘Ah wala, Star Hotshots lang yan.’ Parang ganun ang dating sa akin eh,” Pingris said. “Hindi katulad dati, paparating pa lang ako, sinasabihan ako ng mga players, ‘Hoy, papanalunin nyo naman kami.’ Ngayon, kami na yung nagsasabi ng ganun,” he added. Barroca, the team’s starting point guard, admits that the past few campaigns where they have come up empty have been difficult on them. “Sobrang nasaktan yung pride ko. Two years na kaming ganito. Ngayon, 0-1 na naman. Pero hindi pa naman huli ang Lahat,” Barroca said. “May potential naman yung team. Kailangan lang maibalik yung hunger. Kailangan competitive lang kasi kapag nawala yun, parang show up na lang kami,” he added. “Kailangan ipakita namin na hindi kami pipitsuging team. Kailangan llamado kami.” For Blakely, he understands that Star, a team he has already led to two championships in the past, is pinning its hopes on his veteran leadership as they attempt to work their way back to glory. “I’m here to try to help, give us a little more energy on the defensive end. When Coach Tim was here, he’s a teacher. I think that helped us guys to who we are today. At the same time, we have to remember those moments when we won and got to the playoffs, and what we did to get there,” the balik-import said. “It may seem very far off. But this is just the first game. We had the jitters, everybody wants to be the best.” http://j.mp/2a53PT5

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SCOUTING THE 2016 GOVERNORS’ CUP IMPORTS | Ginebra, TNT, NLEX, Star

The PBA is back! After almost two months of rest, the league opens its curtains by treating fans with an import-flavored Governors’ Cup, the league’s season-ending conference. InterAksyon.com takes a look at all of the teams’ reinforcements in this scouting report. (ALSO READ: Import scouting reports for Rain or Shine, Alaska, San Miguel, Meralco Ginebra – Paul Harris PBA/Nuki Sabio The hardworking Paul Harris was a former resident Tropang TNT import from 2010 to 2014. He carried the team to a title in the 2011 Commissioner’s Cup. Now, he has found himself a new home in Ginebra which is hoping to end an eight-year title drought. The acquisition of Harris was a surprise since coach Tim Cone had earlier declared that Ginebra’s Commissioner’s Cup import Othyus Jeffers will stay on for the rest of the season. But Jeffers had a sub-par performance, failing to even bring the Gin Kings past the quarterfinal round. With Harris, Ginebra has an import with PBA championship experience and veteran smarts, things which Ginebra missed from Jeffers. Also, unlike Jeffers, Harris has decent three-point shooting which should unclog the crowded paint occupied by Ginebra’s big men. And speaking of big men, Gin Kings’ main man Greg Slaughter will miss the rest of the conference after undergoing an ankle injury. Expectations will be high for Harris who has delivered during his stay in TNT. Ginebra is hoping Harris will continue to produce the numbers he set for TNT: 25.62 points, 12 rebounds and 2.52 assists. Tropang TNT – Mario Little Mario Little is coming in as TNT’s second-choice import after former NBA veteran Jason Maxiell exceeded the height limit. Despite what his surname suggests, Little’s game isn’t to be ignored as he is an athletic player who has high hops. During his three-year stint in the NBA D-League, he posted career numbers of 14.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists. It wouldn’t be surprising if he turns out to be a prolific scorer for TNT. Before coming to the Philippines, Little had stints in Ukraine, Spain and Korea. Michael Madanly Sports5/Paul Ryan Tan Michael Madanly is no stranger to Filipino fans: he played last year with NLEX, averaging 19.7 points, three boards and 2.4 assists in his first taste of PBA action. Madanly provides another scoring punch in a balanced TNT lineup whose anchors remain to be Jayson Castro, Ranidel De Ocampo and the up-and-coming Troy Rosario. NLEX – Henry Walker PBA Images/Nuki Sabio Henry Walker last played in the PBA with the Alaska Aces in the 2014 Governors’ Cup. The former NBA veteran, who averaged 21.4 points, 8.93 rebounds and 5.6 assists in his maiden PBA stint, was able to guide his old squad to a semifinal appearance. After his PBA stop, he earned a contract from the Miami Heat in 2015. He played 24 games for the NBA club, and posted decent numbers of 7.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1 block an outing. True to his reputation as a scorer, Walker had one shining moment during his brief NBA return: he buried two three-pointers in 22 seconds to help Heat force overtime and win against the Orlando Magic. Like Al Thornton before him, NLEX will be having another prolific scorer in Walker as its import. But Walker is an unselfish guy who makes plays for his teammates. That should open things up for other Road Warriors such as Asi Taulava and Sean Anthony, among others. Rodrigue Akl FIBA photo Rodrigue Akl is a 6’1” Lebanese point guard who has served his country’s national team. He was part of the squad that faced Gilas Pilipinas during the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship. He mostly played as a reserve for the Lebanese during the tournament. Not really expected provide huge numbers, he at least will give some backcourt stability in second units when NLEX’s main point guards in Kevin Alas and Jonas Villanueva take their rest. Star – Marqus Blakely Sports5/Paul Ryan Tan The former Best Import returns for his fifth tour of duty with the team. But unlike in the past when Star was once a perennial contender, this year’s stint will be completely different as Marqus Blakely joins a squad still finding its form under rookie coach Jason Webb. Blakely was part of the franchise’s Grand Slam run with Tim Cone two years ago, and his experience will surely help Webb and the rest of the Hotshots. If last year is any indication, Blakely remains a force to be reckoned with: he averaged 21.89 points, 12.74 rebounds, 4.26 assists, 2.89 steals and 2.74 blocks as he guided Star to a semifinal finish in the 2015 Governors’ Cup. Chemistry isn’t an issue for Blakely, but how he will integrate himself in a new system remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure, though: he can single-handedly carry this team if needed. http://j.mp/29V2fQD

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Blakely, Star face Mahindra in Govs’ Cup opener

PJ Simon of the Star Hotshots. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net Returning imports Allen Durham and Marqus Blakely seek to set their sail right when they take the first dip in the opening day of the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup on Friday. Durham makes his PBA comeback for Meralco and he looks to lead the Bolts when they take on the Phoenix Fuel Masters at 4:15 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum. That would be followed by the Blakely-led Star hoping to kickstart its campaign on a good note versus Mahindra at 7 p.m. The action continues on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena as Blackwater faces NLEX at 4:30 p.m., followed by the duel between Ginebra and GlobalPort at 6:45 p.m. Meanwhile, AZ Reid and San Miguel Beer opens the title-retention bid against Phoenix on Sunday at the Big Dome before a vengeful Alaska squad takes a shot at Meralco at 6:15 p.m. Tropang TNT and Rain or Shine begin their respective campaigns the following Wednesday, July 20, still at Araneta Coliseum. The partial schedule of games released by the PBA runs up to July 30 only, with one out-of-town game scheduled in Lucena City pitting Ginebra against Meralco. The post Blakely, Star face Mahindra in Govs’ Cup opener appeared first on Philippine Basketball Association. http://j.mp/29OyNOR