3 IN A ROW FOR SAN MIG COFFEE
The two teams were separated from hot confrontations not a few times in this highly charged game.
It was highly physical and emotional, replete with action and drama but not the kind of finish that it deserved.
Everything went wrong in a stretch of nearly seven minutes for Alaska, and San Mig Coffee pounced on the situation, breaking away en route to a 95-82 rout and a share of third place in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on a stormy Tuesday.
League officials were forced to delay for about 30 minutes the tipoff with numerous players having to battle the heavy downpour, flash floods and traffic gridlock on the way to the Big Dome.
Making the playing venue after being picked up by a motorbike near White Plains, Marcus Blakely showed up in a fighting mood, logging a season-best 28 rebounds, 22 points and eight assists to lead the Mixers to a third straight win and fourth in their last five outings.
San Mig Coffee improved to 4-3 overall and thus caught up with Barako Bull and Rain or Shine at third place, half-game behind second-running Meralco (4-2).
“If you asked me four days ago that I would be sitting here with four wins in our pocket, I would say it’s crazy,” said San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone.
“Missing Ping (Marc Pingris) and Joe (Devance), we talked about the character of the team and how to shine through. The guys stepped up more as a team,” Cone also said.
Things became a lot easier as Alaska crumbled, going on a scoreless spell for over six minutes in the final half.
The Mixers had pulled away at 84-58 before Wendell McKines broke their silence on a short stab.
With the outcome of the game already settled, Alaska coach Luigi Trillo incurred a second technical foul and was tossed out with 8:28 left in the game.
A little later, the Aces also lost super rookie Calvin Abueva who crumbled down the floor, writhing in pain, holding on to his back.
The Aces failed to recover and went down to sixth place in the standings at 3-3.
James Yap struggled with his shots once again but Allein Maliksi, Mark Barroca and PJ Simon were among those who covered for him.
Maliksi finished with 16 points, Barroca added 15 and Simon chipped in 13.
McKines piled up 32 points and 15 rebounds but didn’t get the needed support from his teammates. (SB)
The scores:
San Mig 95 – Blakely 22, Maliksi 16, Barroca 15, Simon 13, Yap 7, Mallari 6, Devance 6, Reavis 6, Ponferrada 2, De Ocampo 2.
Alaska 82 – McKines 32, Thoss 13, Baguio 9, Espinas 8, Abueva 6, Casio 5, Dela Cruz 4, Jazul 3, Hontiveros 2, Reyes 0.
Quarters: 17-22, 48-41, 74-58, 95-82
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