San Mig Coffee employed a smothering defense down the stretch as the Mixers held off Rain or Shine with a thrilling, 77-76 victory to seize a weighty 2-1 lead in their PLDT Home DSL Philippine Cup finals series on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Photo Credit: Interaksyon.com
The Mixers just simply outworked the Elasto painters in the end game, holding them down to just two baskets in the last five minutes to escape the rivals from what had been a slug fest second half.
The game was actually a tight one after a close, 39-38 contest at the half before the two squads altered the tempo and fashioned out a stirring shootout bridging the third and fourth frame for a tight, 72-71 count in favor of Rain or shine at the 5:03 mark on a basket by Joe Devance.
However, Tim Cone troop turned the game back to their favor as their defense bit off, shutting out the Elasto painters’ last offensives while also outrebounding them in the crucial moments of the match.
Down by just one after Jervy Cruz tough lay-up with 1:23 to play, the Elasto painters earned the chance to regain the lead after San Mig turnover but Rain or Shine committed a shot clock violation in the ensuing play after being denied by the Mixers under a minute left.
James Yap, who waxed hot in the third, launched a big three-pointer but aired ball a shot, leaving the door open for the Elasto painters in the last 10.6 seconds.
But Rain or shine, which could not buy an open shot in the last play, failed to steal the game as Jeff Chan was forced to shoot from way out owing to the defense set up by Mark Pingris.
Defensive anchor Pingris did everything for the Mixers piling up seven points, eight rebounds and five (–foul word(s) removed–)ists while PJ Simon drilled in 14 markers. Birthday boy Devance, who exploited his mismatches over his smaller defenders had 13 points including key baskets in the end game.
Yap on the other hand despite being in foul trouble all game long, managed to finish with 13 markers, eight coming in the third period to power San Mig’s fight back after trailing by eight early in the second half.
“They started the second half like a house on fire. They came out with so much energy to start that quarter. We kept finding ways to stay in the game and it came down to the last possession,” said San Mig Coach Tim Cone. (Statement from sports.inquirer.net)
The loss negated Paul Lee’s most productive output in the finals with 23 points while Chan and Cruz chipped in 11 and 10 markers for the Elasto painters.
Game four is slated on Friday, 8 pm still at the Big Dome.
