San Mig Coffee Mixers begin 3rd title quest

Photo by NUKI SABIO

MANILA, Philippines — San Mig Coffee starts its quest to capture a third straight PBA title when the Mixers debut in the Commissioner’s Cup eliminations against struggling Globalport Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Gametime is 8 p.m. with the Mixers looking to pin a third straight loss on the Batang Pier and get their campaign going again even as Alaska guns for a second straight win against Meralco in the 5:45 p.m. contest.

The Mixers won last season’s Governors’ Cup with Marqus Blakely and then ruled the Philippine Cup just two weeks ago against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

James Mays will try to lead the Mixers to another title run, getting support from gunners Peter June Simon and James Yap and a host of hard-working stars led by Marc Pingris.

Globalport, despite having a new coach and a perennial all-star for a new point guard, has struggled in its first two outings.

Evan Brock has posted great numbers for the Batang Pier, but coach Pido Jarencio has so far failed to find the right mix of locals to back up his prolific import.

Another loss tonight would send the Batang Pier in a precarious situation since this is just a single-round elimination and they have yet to face powerhouse teams like San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra, Alaska and Rain or Shine.

Mays has been in town for quite a while. He has had pro stints in China, Puerto Rico and Turkey since graduating from Clemson and failing to land a team in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Alaska, meanwhile, will be joined by new recruit Vic Manuel, a hard-nosed forward whom the Aces acquired on Monday from the Air21 Express by giving up Aldrech Ramos.

Coach Luigi Trillo loves the opportunity to be able to handle Manuel again. “He (Manuel) brings a lot to the table,” Trillo told the Inquirer over the phone.