COFFEE, MILK WON’T MIX THIS TIME

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SAN Mig Coffee head coach Tim Cone is not one to raise a fuzz about his unbeaten history against former team Alaska.

Not when the circumstances are different and the stakes are as high as the ones stacked right now.

The Aces and Mixers kick off their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals series Saturday, each bristling to beat the other to the headstart in the best-of-five duel at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Cone has beaten his team of 22 years in all eight of their meetings, including twice in this mid-season tourney. He also has a 5-0 record against Alaska counterpart Luigi Trillo, his assistant for 10 years.

It’s nothing personal, both coaches claim.

“Many are going to make a big deal about our record with Alaska over the last few conferences, but you can really throw that out the window,” said Cone.

“Right now we’re just trying to get a win so we can take a 1-0 series,” he added.

“It’s not about Tim and me,” countered Trillo. “We need to focus on playing basketball. We need to take care of our business and our business is getting to that next round (finals).”

Cone has additional reason to be concerned since the status of two-time MVP remains doubtful due to his lower back injury.

Magnetic resonance imaging tests have been conducted on the back Thursday afternoon, but the results have yet to be revealed. “Sa ngayon, 50-50 ako kung makakalaro,” related Yap Friday. “Kasi wala akong peace of mind. Sana walang makita sa MRI.”

Making Cone both proud and wary is the fact the Aces have evolved into a distinctly squad by Trillo in only the latter’s third conference at the helm.

“Obviously, from a distance I’ve followed them very closely. I’m really impressed. They’ve taken the triangle (offense), added a bunch of stuff to it, molded it and made it their way. it works for them,” noted Cone.

Indeed, Alaska has been whipped by Trillo into a serious contender, proof of which is its second straight semis appearance. Unlike in the Philippine Cup, however, the Aces emerged as the eliminations topnotcher.

“Alaska is the No. 1 seed and they deserve it. They’ve been the dominant team this conference,” said Cone, whose own team finished the elims at No. 4.

Also, Alaska has had the luxury of being well-rested after needing just one game to dispose of eighth-seed Air21 last April 20 in the quarterfinals, while San Mig is coming off a three-game duel with Meralco that wound up just last Wednesday.

“It’s going to be an extremely tough series,” stated Cone.

For his part, Trillo has geared his players for any eventuality, focusing mostly on their psychological state.

“We have to find a way to play not only during our good times but when we go through some tough times in these playoffs and we will have a couple of both of those,” said Trillo.

“We need to bring a more consistent awareness and effort on both ends of the basketball court. That’s what the playoffs are about: Consistency.” (NC)

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