SIMON STARS IN SAN MIG COFFEE’S COME-FROM-BEHIND WIN OVER TALK ‘N TEXT
San Mig Coffee struggled most of the way but got into the groove in the most opportune time, overcoming a 10-point deficit in the last six minutes in a crucial, mind-boggling 83-82 victory over Talk n Text in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
The Mixers scored all but three of the game’s last 17 points in a blazing finish sending them two notches up to fifth place at 6-6.
“I thought it was a lost game. Don’t ask me how we did that. I honestly don’t know. We’re just able to do that,” said San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone of their amazing win that boosted their bid for a Top Six finish in the eliminations.
Their escape act seemed to hardly give the San Mig Coffee coach comfort, though.
“We’ve been so inconsistent. We’re going up and down. It’s been win-loss, win-loss. We’re inconsistent on efforts, rebounds, practice habits, defensive habits and execution,” said Cone.
“It’s been an inconsistent conference for us and it’s frustrating. We know we’re capable of reaching great heights. That we’re not doing that makes it more frustrating for us,” Cone added.
The Texters should be more frustrated with a sixth loss in 11 outings that relegated them to seventh place.
They actually had a chance to salvage the game but Ryan Reyes missed two game-winning three-point attempts in the last 10 seconds. Both flubbed off the rim.
The Mixers surged ahead to stay at 83-82 with 40.2 seconds left on a turnaround jumper by PJ Simon off Jimmy Alapag.
Simon, Mark Barroca, Joe Devance and Denzel Bowles did the job turning the game around in the homestretch with Cone opting to keep a cold James Yap on the bench in the last nine minutes of the game.
Yap, himself inconsistent as of late, scored only three points on 1-of-7 field shooting and 1-of-2 free throws.
“Yap was sick all night. He didn’t practice (Tuesday). Rafi (Reavis) didn’t practice for 10 days and we hesitate to play him. It’s hard to be consistent when you have players with health problems,” rued Cone.
“But this one could help,” added Cone, hoping they can get going in the homestretch of the elims.
“It’s a crucial must-win for us. We’re actually not here to win for the standings. We’re here to win for confidence,” Cone pointed out.
The Mixers made an earlier run in the game to go up by one, 66-65, at the end of the third quarter.
However, the Texters regrouped and hit clutch baskets, regaining control at 79-69.
Then disaster struck coach Norman Black and his squad, bowing to the Mixers for the second straight game in the conference. (SB)
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