GETTING MIXERS CLOSER TO GRAND SLAM
He might not have won the Bobby Parks Best Import award, but at the end of the night, James Mays stood the tallest as he powered San Mig Coffee to a 77-75 Game 3 win over Talk ‘N Text, sending the Coffee Mixers to a 2-1 lead in the Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
With San Mig trailing 71-75 in the final 75 seconds, James Yap passed the ball to James Mays in the ensuing play, before the import barrelled his way through the defense and converted in an and-one play, reviving hopes in the San Mig faithful as they swung a two-possession deficit to just a one-point game, 74-75.
“Even though I missed a lot of shots in the first half, I was able to focus in and finish,” he said.
Mays continued to make his presence felt as he defended Jayson Castro’s three from the top of the arc with 46 seconds to play, which missed, and opened up the chances for Yap’s game-winner with 28 ticks left.
“We’ve been down before and we came back. One thing about this team is that we all stay together. No matter if there’s adversity or we’re down, we stick together,” he said.
After the final buzzer, the 6-foot-8 center’s numbers were 20 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and five blocks, as the Mixers inched closer to the franchise’s third title in as many conferences.
Though he ended up as runner-up to Talk ‘N Text’s Richard Howell in the Best Import race, Mays says that he’s solely focused on one only thing.
“It would’ve been good if I won it, but that’s not why I’m here,” said the Clemson University alumnus.
“I’m happy for (Richard). He’s somebody I know and I congratulate him, but for me, it’s not just the individual award. Hopefully, I can help the team win this one and help them inch closer to a Grand Slam.” (RL)
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