CHASING THE GRAND SLAM
Drained and weary, but the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers have hit the point of no stopping now.
To energize the Mixers is the sweet scent of a season sweep.
Coach Tim Cone can try his very best but he just can’t resist talking about the opportunity of winning the grand slam now.
That beckons after the Mixers conquered the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, 100-91, in Game 4 of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship showdown at the Philsports Arena Thursday night, wrapping the series up 3-1.
First came the Governors’ Cup crown, second the Philippine Cup championship, and then the Commissioner’s Cup title run to complete a hat trick.
That’s a triple crown alright, but bridging two seasons. A real grand slam will enchant the Mixers in the 2014 Governors’ Cup that begins Sunday.
“That’s the last thing we’re gonna talk about as a team. We’re not going to talk about it. There’s so much pressure in winning the grand slam,” said Cone, at first.
But Cone couldn’t avoid discussing the sweet thing.
“Obviously, this gives us the opportunity (to go for it). The good news for us is we have got Marqus (Blakely) back. We all know how good Marqus is,” said Cone.
Blakely, the reigning Governors’ Cup Best Import awardee, is well aware the third conference is now a tournament to win for his team.
Apparently, he had challenged James Mays to win the Commissioner’s Cup crown for the team and then he would deliver the Triple Crown.
He’ll definitely play a big role in their quest.
“We’re gonna try to lean on the energy of Marqus and (the comebacking) Allein Maliksi, and see what we can do. We’ll try to get ourselves a ride at some point of the conference, and see if we can make a run out of it,” said Cone.
With hardly any rest, Cone promised they will come out not making any excuse in the Governors’ Cup.
“It’s unfathomable for me to even think that we have a game in five days. I can’t even think what a team we’ll be like against Barako,” said Cone.
“But I don’t want our guys complaining about the sked or how tired they are. We’ll keep pushing and see what we can do,” Cone also said.
“We’ll focus on things that we have control of – sticking to our game plan and discipline on what we want to do. Hopefully, we can continue to do that through the next conference,” Cone added.
They did just that in winning three championships in a row – the longest reign by any team in the league in 13 years.
Three straight crowns, and San Mig Super Coffee has fortified its citadel.
“The work to get into this is really astounding. It starts from long ago, building on trust and building on the desire to be a little different and little special. I think that’s what the players really look at – the idea of doing what other teams have not done before,” said Cone.
For the record, no PBA team had made three straight title runs since San Miguel Beer did the trick in 2000-2001. Others with same achievement were Crispa in their two grand slams, Great Taste (1984-85), San Miguel Beer in its own grand slam and Alaska (1996 and 1997-98).
“The players take a lot of pride at that and certainly I do as well,” said Cone, also the author of the Aces’ trebles. (SB)
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