MUST WIN
SAN Mig Super Coffee seems to have finally found its groove in the the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup. But so has Air21.
Which of the two will be able to display the same kind of game as in their last outings would be known Saturday when they clash anew at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Gametime is at 3:30 p.m.
For the Super Coffee Mixers a win is a must for them to clamber up from their current tie at the bottom half of the standings.
The sense of urgency is double for the Express, who need to sweep their last two games, including the game against Rain or Shine next Saturday, to at least tie for the eighth and last spot to the quarterfinals.
“Must win for us,” said Air21 coach Franz Pumaren on the eve of the match.
“It’s hard to play a veteran team like San Mig, that’s why we are hoping our players can play their best game tomorrow,” added Pumaren.
“Execution will be the key.”
The Express did execute their plays on both ends of the court last Wednesday, enabling them to hack out a 102-100 win over heavy favorite Talk N Text.
So did San Mig in an 83-79 win over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel last Sunday that snapped it out of a two-game slide while stopping the Kings’ six-game roll.
“Everything remains almost all must-win for us,” said Mixers coach Tim Cone after the Ginebra game. “We’ve got a tough schedule all the way through, with Air21, Petron (Blaze) and Talk N Text.
“So I wish we could have played this well throughout the whole conference, but I guess it’s better late than never, right?”
San Mig actually has fond memories of their meeting with Air21 last Dec. 1. It took two overtime periods before the Mixers could realize a 92-83 win, their first after starting out the season with three straight losses. (NC)
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