Mixers claw back from 20 down to defeat Batang Pier
PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines—San Mig Coffee turned back Globalport, 92-82, after a stirring comeback from 20 points down on Friday night in the 2014 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Marqus Blakely sustained the Mixers’ fight back in the fourth quarter, scoring and assisting in seven straight points that put them up 78-72 with 4:31 to play.
Blakely picked up where PJ Simon and James Yap left off as the killer duo sparked the second half turnaround that trimmed the Batang Pier’s lead down to 67-68 by the end of third.
“I didn’t think I’d be sitting in this seat [at the media room],” said coach Tim Cone. “We got off to a really very sluggish start.”
The Mixers couldn’t get anything going in the first half while Globalport, behind Dior Lowhorn, got its way for a 44-24 lead with 3:55 in the second quarter.
But the grand-slam seeking San Mig Coffee pulled together after the intermission, going on a 13-6 blast that slashed down the lead to single digits.
“We got some things going coming out halftime from James and PJ and that go out activity level going on defense. Our depth and talent kinda won this game in the 2nd half,” Cone said.
Simon finished with 24 points on 10-of-20 shooting while Yap added 13 points. Marc Pingris also added 10 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
It was a disappointing ending for the Batang Pier, who failed to cash in on their hot start and skid to their third setback this season-ending conference.
Lowhorn had 33 points in a losing effort for Globalport, while Jay Washington and Alex Cabagnot combined for 28 points.
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