PBA: San Mig Coffee frustrates Alaska to complete semis picture

James Yap of San Mig Coffee (dark) vs Wendel McKinss and Cyrus Baguio of Alaska (light) PBA IMAGE / Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — San Mig Coffee frustrated Alaska, 83-73, and punched the last ticket to the semifinals in the 2013 PBA Governors’ Cup Friday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Mixers had an answer everytime the Aces came knocking at the door and held on to the lead in the fourth period to arrange a meeting with Meralco in the final four starting on Sunday.

“That was a big load off our shoulders. There was a lot of pressure on us so we went back to basics and we played a solid fourth quarter,” said head coach Tim Cone.

Everytime the Aces inched closer, like in the third when they pulled within 51-53, then again at 70-74, with 1:59 to go, San Mig Coffee had a scoring run to quell the momentum.

Marqus Blakely had a workmanlike effort to lead the Mixers with 30 points and 15 rebounds, along with three assists, four steals and five blocks.

The Aces, though, were ultimately doomed by their dismal freethrow shooting and costly miscues down the stretch despite badly outrebounding the Mixers, 61-49.

When the Mixers’ Jewel Ponferrada and Marc Pingris were called for back-to-back flagrant fouls two minutes into the fourth, Alaska failed to pounce on the chance as import Wendell McKines misfired on five straight freebies.

And when they were just down by four after a triple from Cyrus Baguio, the veteran guard threw the ball away on a bad bounce pass. JVee Casio later on did the same with 41.6 ticks left.

McKines led the Aces with 24 points but missed 12 freethrows. Baguio added 20, Tony Dela Cruz with 20 points and 13 boards.

“Credit to their defense, they gave us 12 points in the fourth quarter,” said head coach Luigi Trillo. “But I’m proud of the guys, you can’t win them all.”