MAN ON A MISSION
It’s quite a familiar setup, actually.
An inspired opponent forcing a winner-take-all game against San Mig Super Coffee in the semifinals to decide who will get the last Finals slot.
But just like the case in the Philippine Cup, the hotly contested series turned into an anti-climactic end, a rout to be exact.
Reminiscent of their Game 7 blowout of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel last conference, San Mig Coffee blasted Air21, 99-83, Wednesday to take Game 5 and set a championship date with Talk ‘N Text for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup title.
And who’s the local spark who just couldn’t be stopped in this do-or-die game?
Peter June Simon.
The Makilala, North Cotabato guard looked like a man on a mission – scoring, shooting, whether it be with two hands or one, spreading the floor, swinging the rock, and taking on defensive duties to propel the Coffee Mixers to their third Finals appearance in as many conferences.
The final statline of this 6-footer? 18 points on 2-of-3 shooting from threes and 7-of-11 overall from the field.
“Nagpapasalamat lang kami na nabigyan ulit kami ng opportunity makapaglaro sa Finals,” he said, as San Mig guns for its third straight championship conquest. “Sobrang ganda ng teamwork namin kanina at pinakita namin yung experience namin.”
“Malaking bagay na nae-experience namin yung mgaa do-or-die na laro. So pagdating sa game, di kami masyadong nagre-rely sa individual talent at teamwork pa rin talaga kami. Di kami nagpa-panic,” Simon said.
As the championship series begins on Friday, Simon and the rest of the Coffee Mixers are just bracing for the worst and are ready to give their all just to accomplish the golden goal – which is the conference title.
“Iniinda pa rin namin yung pagod pero pagdating sa mga ganitong game, lahat na nagsa-sakripisyo para sa team namin,” he said.
Facing an unbeaten Talk ‘N Text squad, Simon knows that the rest of his teammates wouldn’t be short of motivation, and will try to topple the mighty Tropang Texters.
“Wala pa silang talo (this conference), so challenge sa amin yun na manalo sa kanila.” (RL)
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