PBA: San Mig Coffee outlasts Air21 in double OT for first win

Marc Pingris of San Mig Coffee (dark) vs Vic Manuel of AIr21 (light). PBA IMAGE BY Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — San Mig Super Coffee rallied from an early double-digit deficit before scraping past Air 21, 92-83, in double overtime for their first win in the 2014 PLDT MyDSL Philippine Cup Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Mixers drew ample support with Mark Barroca leading the team with 19 points, Marc Pingris and Rafi Reavis notching double-double efforts while rookie Ian Sangalang adding 14.

“We just needed a win that’s  the bottom line. We need to come out with a win we don’t care if it’s a beautiful win  or ugly win,” said San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone, whose squad finally barged into the win column for a 1-3 record. “We’re desperate for a win so we’ll take any win.”

“I’m really happy with the character of the guys. Ping (Pingris) fought through a lot tonight. PJ (Simon) fought through the tiredness. Alex (Mallari) and Mark (Barroca) played with a lot of heart. And Rafi (Reavis) played like a young man, like a rookie tonight. Good to see him play with a lot of energy,” Cone added.

Guard Alex Mallari chipped in 11 points, including a baseline jumper that tied the game at 69 with 4.9 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime.

Joseph Yeo had 21 points for the Express, who fell to 0-4, but had just three points after the third period. He also collected eight rebounds and six assists.

Air21’s KG Canaleta added 20 points, highlighted by three clutch free throws that extended the match to a second extra session with the game knotted at 79 with only 0.3 tenths of a second left.

Sangalang poured eight of his 14 points in the second OT as the Mixers capitalized on a thin Express frontline after Asi Taulava fouled out with still 4:45 to go.

Pingris had 15 points and 12 rebounds while Reavis gave San Mig Coffee, which trailed 4-18, in the first period, a lift at the offensive end also with 15 points and 15 boards.

PJ Simon scored 11 in his first game this season after sitting out the first three outings due to an achilles heel injury but the Mixers didn’t have the services of James Yap. The two-time MVP watched in the game in street clothes due to a hyperextended right elbow.

“We got PJ back but he’s so limited because he has hardly practiced and he’s so out of shape, he couldn’t run because of his achilles,” said Cone. “We got PJ back but lost James (Yap). He couldn’t fully extend his shooting arm.”

The game also marked the comeback of Mac Cardona, who had an MCL sprain in his left knee. Cardona contributed 13 points, nine in the fourth quarter.