The Purefoods-Star Hotshots is scheduled for a head-to-head game against the Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters at 7:00 P.M. on March 22, 2017 in Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots will start its 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup bid this evening and they will tackle their last conference’s Quarterfinals opponent, the Fuel Masters.
It was reported earlier this month that Paul Lee is suffering a minor injury which resulted to give up his Gilas slot to teammate Allein Maliksi. This is only mean that Lee will be 100% utilized by his mother team, Star Hotshots.
Probably the Fuel Masters still remember how Star gave them hard time in the 2016-17 PBA Philippine Cup. Star had a couple of blowout games against them, one during the elimination round where they bowed down with a 50-plus deficit and the other one during the playoffs.
In their opening game last Saturday, Phoenix needed a double-overtime to defeat Blackwater Elite. Eugene Phelps got a huge game with 53 points and 21 rebounds but unfortunately that will be the last game of Phelps in 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
He already got a commitment playing abroad prior the second conference has started.
This evening, Fuel Masters will parade their new foreign hire, his name is Jameel McKay. According to sources, the 24-years-old style of play is more on the defensive end but before his first PBA game, he mentioned that he can also be a scorer.
Star coach Chito Victolero already did his assignment knowing that Phoenix will have a new support cast.
“They have a new import, so yun yung problema namin: hindi namin siya kilala,” Victolero said. “Mayroon na kaming (video clips) nakita sa online, but yung real game talaga wala. Kailangan lang namin maging ready and ready for adjustments sa game.”