SAN MIG COFFEE SNUFFS OUT AIR21’S PLAYOFFS HOPES
The trio of Yancy de Ocampo, Mark Barroca, and Peter June Simon willed San Mig Super Coffee to a 67-60 win over Air21 Saturday in the 2014 PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena, ousting the Express from playoff contention.
De Ocampo, the top pick in the 2002 PBA Draft, tallied a double-double to the tune of 12 points and 12 rebounds – his first of the season — while limiting Air21 center Asi Taulava to just five markers to lead the Mixers while Simon kept the Coffee Mixers in the game as he scored 10 of his game-high 20 points in the third. Third year-point guard Barroca on the other hand anchored the finishing kick as he poured in all of his 11 points in the fourth quarter of the lowest-scoring game in the league over the last two conferences.
“Right now, anything for us in the win column is beautiful. Even if it’s ugly, it’s still a pretty win,” said San Mig head coach Tim Cone. “We just got to win. Every game is a must win.”
Marc Pingris added seven points and 12 boards as San Mig Coffee won despite missing the services of James Yap, who sat the game out due to back spasms.
The victory pulled the Coffee Mixers to a three-way tie for the fifth spot with Barako Bull and Meralco, all carrying a 5-7 slate.
Nino Canaleta had 17 of his 22 points in the second half, while Mac Cardona chipped in 11 markers for Air21 which fell to a 3-10 record.
San Mig Coffee will now brace for its final two games against Petron Blaze and Talk ‘N Text in its bid for a Top 6 finish at the end of the elims and a place in the quarterfinals. (RL)
The scores:
SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE 67 – Simon 20, De Ocampo 12, Barroca 11, Pingris 7, Devance 6, Sangalang 6, Mallari 3, Reavis 2, Melton 0.
AIR21 60 – Canaleta 22, Cardona 11, Yeo 9, Taulava 5, Manuel 4, Arboleda 3, Sharma 2, Custodio 2, Camson 2, Matias 0, Espiritu 0, Menor 0.
Quarterscores: 17-12, 29-25, 44-43, 67-60.
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