Mallari comes up big as San Mig Coffee nips Meralco for a 2-1 lead

Alex Mallari of San Mig Coffee (light) vs Jay-r Reyes of Meralco (dark).

MANILA, Philippines — San Mig Coffee pounced on an import-less Meralco for a 94-87 victory on Friday and a 2-1 series lead in their semifinals series in the 2013 PBA Governors’ Cup.

Alex Mallari came up big down the stretch with a clutch triple and freethrows which helped the Mixers fight off the Bolts, which played without Mario West for a quarter and half.

West, who had 13 points and six rebounds, “badly sprained” his shoulder and never checked back in after colliding against Joe Devance with over four minutes left in the third period.

“Everybody thinks it’s easy but it makes the game much harder. The other becomes heavy favorites, the other becomes underdogs. We got fortunate he went out,” said head coach Tim Cone.

With Meralco still breathing down its neck with just four minutes to play, San Mig Coffee went on a 10-2 run to create an 88-79 lead with 1:26 to play.

The hungry Bolts, seeking for a first ever finals stint, pulled to within three points after a four-point play from John Wilson but Mallari knocked down freebies to put the game away.

Mallari, who impressed Cone back when he was in D-League, finished with a personal-best in the pro-league with 23 points, along with four rebounds and three assists.

“Alex was awesome tonight. He was getting to the rim. That’s what he does best. But best part of his game is his defense,” Cone said.

Import Marqus Blakely added 21 points and 22 boards for the Mixers, who shoot to finish the series on Sunday.