RETURN ENGAGEMENT
A month after their Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinal showdown that lasted the distance, San Mig Super Coffee and Air21 meet again, fighting to boost their respective bids for a twice-to-beat incentive in the PLDT Home Telpad PBA Governors’ Cup Final Eight.
Tied with identical 4-2 win-loss cards, the Mixers and the Express part ways in the 8 p.m. lone Monday match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Dragged to a deciding Game Five in their recent playoffs matchup and witnessing Air21’s continued improvement, San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone is convinced the Express are a dangerous foe.
“We’re expecting an extremely tough game. Our focus is just to stay with what we do and look for a win,” said Cone.
The Mixers have just stumbled for the second time in the conference, suffering an 84-93 beating at the hands of the Alaska Aces Friday and thus falling in a tie with the Express at 4-2.
In their most recent game, the Express, meanwhile, romped past the Meralco Bolts, 80-67.
That win should give the Express added morale boost and confidence going to their awaited rematch with the Mixers.
Air21 pushed San Mig Coffee to the limit in their Commissioner’s Cup semis showdown with the Mixers needing five full games to hurdle the Express.
And the Express, somehow, have proven their stirring playoff run last conference was no fluke.
They stretched their run with a 2-0 start in the Governors’ Cup and have since clung onto a spot among the tournament frontrunners.
“In our last three games, we’re looking at winning at least two,” said Air21 coach Franz Pumaren.
He’s thankful with their four-game break before their game against San Mig Coffee.
“It’s been a difficult time for us as we didn’t have the luxury of practicing well as a team because of our schedule,” he said.
Pumaren said Sean Anthony is still day-to-day but he hopes the hard-nosed Fil-Am forward will already be ready by Monday. (SB)
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