Slippery San Mig Coffee guard Mark Barroca draws a hard foul on the way to basket from Rain or Shine big man Beau Belga in yesterday’s Game 2 at Smart Araneta Coliseum. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines–San Mig Coffee was so dominant Sunday night that even coach Tim Cone didn’t immediately realize the short work that his Mixers did on Rain or Shine.
Peter June Simon scored five straight points to break the game’s last tie at 4-4 before the Mixers scooted away for good to nail an easy 80-70 Game 2 victory that deadlocked the PLDT MyDSL Philippine Cup title series at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
And after Cone reviewed what had happened in the post-game interview, the multititled coach was surprised at the short time they spent on the floor in dusting off the Elasto Painters.
Simon finished with 15 points in 22 minutes, James Yap had 13 in 24 and the Mixers practically earned a win within a win after being able to keep their aces fresh for the third game scheduled this Wednesday at 8 p.m.
“Let’s go home, it’s late,” Cone told scribes after the interview, not realizing that it was still way before supper time. “Oh, I’m sorry, I thought it was past 8 or something.”
The Mixers kept the Painters at bay with their tough defense, and the ugly loss was compounded by the fact that Rain or Shine played its worst offensive game in more than two months, or since winning its last seven elimination-round games and six of its seven playoff outings, counting an 83-80 Game 1 victory on Friday.
Only Jeff Chan finished in twin digits for the Painters with 18 as Rain or Shine shot an atrocious six of 26 from three-point range, made just 23 of 52 two-point shots and just 50 percent of its free throws.
“Aside from the fact that we couldn’t make our shots, the defense really compounded our problems,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said. “I think San Mig needs to be given credit for playing really good defense.”
Three others were in twin digits for Cone, with Marc Pingris completing a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Pingris was also the player who stayed longest on the floor for the Mixers, logging 39 minutes.
“I thought we kept James and PJ fresh throughout the game,” Cone said. “I think, in the past, against this team, we’ve always had problems keeping these guys fresh. It’s a big bonus for us.”
The Painters, after that 4-4 tie, went into a scoring drought and picked up just seven more the rest of the first period. Rain or Shine had just 24 at the end of the half to trail by 13.
San Mig led by as many as 17 points early in the fourth period after the Painters had come within 58-51 on a Paul Lee triple to open the final frame.
Even with the loss, Guiao didn’t seem to be that bothered.
“I am not really worried,” he said. “The longer this series takes, the better it is for us. Winning Game 1 gave us the adjustment advantage. But we can’t afford to give up that advantage [by losing Game 3].
“San Mig is too experienced a team [for us] to let them have the lead in this series.”
Ryan Araña, who started out in one of the forward spots for Guiao, is listed as doubtful for Game 3 after injuring his left collarbone in the first quarter.
Araña, possibly Guiao’s best defender for Yap, was rushed to the hospital for a suspected fracture after ramming into a tough screen from Rafi Reavis in the first period.
“Game 3 will be really big for us,” Guiao, chasing his first all-Filipino title, said. “We need to find the proper adjustments and we need to execute better.”
The scores:
SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE 80—Simon 15, Devance 13, Yap 13, Pingris 11, Sangalang 10, Mallari 8, Barroca 4, Reavis 4, Melton 2, Gaco 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 70—Chan 18, Cruz 8, Norwood 8, Belga 7, Lee 7, Almazan 5, Teng 5, Quinahan 3, Nuyles 3, Tang 2, Ibanes 2, Rodriguez 2, Arana 0, Tiu 0.
Quarters: 20-13, 37-24, 58-48, 80-70
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