RENEWED CONFIDENCE

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“Blessed lang talaga kami,” said Mark Barroca after San Mig Super Coffee took a 2-1 series lead over Air21 with an 84-73 Game 3 victory on Saturday.

The former FEU hotshot steadied the ship for coach Tim Cone in the endgame as he scored seven of his 17 points and was able to steal seven rebounds against taller opposition on a night where their import James Mays had 15 points and 32 rebounds, the highest rebounding output in the last nine seasons since Purefoods reinforcement Antonio Smith collared in 33 boards.

“Sabi nga ni coach, time pa rin namin. Nag-struggle man kami in the middle of the season, time pa rin namin, na pwede pa kami makabalik sa Finals,” Barroca said.

“Nakikita na namin na confident na kami the next game, pero di naman totally na nagre-relax na kami. Di naman walk in the park lang makukuha yung next game. Paghihirapan pa rin namin.”

Trying to make their third Finals appearance in as many conferences, Barroca said that they are still trying to set their minds in which they still remain as hungry as the others.

“Nasa isip lang namin yung sinasabi ni coach yung kung ano yung gusto naming gawin at makuha. Nasa amin na lang yun para i-motivate yung sarili namin para makuha yung championship. Sabi nga ni coach, yung legacy nga, yun ang nasa isip namin,” he said.

Though faltering in the middle of the eliminations, a scene reminiscent of their early struggles in the Philippine Cup, the Coffee Mixers have bounced back and slowly got hold of their bearings, a confidence-boosting stretch San Mig is having in the semifinals.

“Ganun naman kami lagi eh. Wala namang pinagbago sa amin eh, alam naman namin si coach kung pano sya magpakundisyon ng player. Ang sabi nya lang sa amin, ang target lang pag eliminations, quarterfinals lang. Bahala na. Di namin inaasam na mag-number one o two kami so dun na kami nagaadjust sa quarterfinals,” he said.

Also, a big reason for their win is the renewed partnership he has with Justin Melton and Alex Mallari, Cone’s three-guard bench troopers, which has rewarded the multi-titled coach quality minutes as his starters rested.

“They’ve been playing really well together,” coach Tim said. “It kind of stopped for a little bit. Last conference, there were times that they were just dominant when they got to the floor together. We didn’t see that much and now that it’s playoff time, we’re seeing that again.”

Barroca agrees with their bench tactician, saying, “Thankful din ako kasi bumalik na rin yung tandem namin ni Justin. Nawala yun nitong start ng conference. Hinahanap sa amin ni coach kaya nung start ng quarterfinals, kami nila Alex (Mallari), bumalik na yung depensa namin off the bench. Thankful naman ako dun.” (RL)

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