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By REYNALD MAGALLON
Hong Kong Eastern lived up to the billing and romped Phoenix, 102-87, in an auspicious start to its PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup campaign at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
Familiarity to the PBA brand of play did wonders for the new guest team as Cameron Clark, Hayden Blankley and Glen Yang starred in the wire-to-wire win that certainly turned heads not just of the rest of the 11 teams but also the fans.
Clark was a workhorse under the basket despite giving some inch against the hulking Fuel Masters import Donovan Smith, dropping a double-double of 25 points and 11 rebounds on top of his two steals and two blocks
Blankley and Yang, a key cogs for the Bay Area Dragons team that dragged Barangay Ginebra to a Game 7 in the Commissioner’s Cup Finals two seasons ago, reintroduced themselves to the PBA with 18 points and eight rebounds, and 13 points, seven assists and six rebounds respectively.
Despite the familiarity though, the Hong Kong-based squad still had to shake off some jitters early in the contest before finally getting their groove to behind Clark who took one the scoring cudgel with 19 first half points.
Blankley then picked up the slack, pouring 10 of his total in the third frame as the Eastern fended off some brave rallies from the Fuel Masters in the second half to come away with the win.
Meanwhile, Converge wasted no time in displaying a new-found force, pouncing on the depleted Terrafirma, 116-87, to open its PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign on a high note.
The FiberXers, who were brimming with confidence with key additions in Jordan Heading, Pao Javillonar and NBA-caliber import Cheick Diallo, went off to a blistering start and never looked back since then to complete the 29-point rout.
Diallo looked to be as good as advertised, dropping a double-double effort of 25 points and 16 rebounds while his frontcourt partner Justin Arana finished 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Bryan Santos added 12 points while Mike Nieto added 11 off the bench. Heading had eight points, six assists and four rebounds in his PBA debut.
Terrafirma played without offseason additions Terrence Romeo and Vic Manuel due to an injury and illness,