San Mig Coffee pulls away to beat Ginebra

James Mays of San Mig (light) vs Chris Ellis, Leon Rodgers and Greg Slaghter of Ginebra (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — San Mig Coffee pulled away late to beat Barangay Ginebra, 90-80, in the 2014 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Import James Mays was highly-active all throughout the game as he scored 29 points and grabbed 29 rebounds to lead the Mixers, who improved to 2-0.

“James was monster on the floor. His activity level was where we want it to be. If we call Marqus (Blakely) Mr. Everything, I think we’re going to call James Mr. Everywhere,” said San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone, referring to his import last Governors’ Cup Marqus Blakely.

Leon Rodgers led all scorers with 35 points for the Kings, who slid to 1-2, but he cooled off in the fourth quarter as the Mixers’ defense clamped down on him.

San Mig Coffee ran away in the final five minutes of the game. A Mays putback, one of his 12 offensive rebounds, off a miss 3-pointer by James Yap, gave the Mixers an 89-78 advantage, with 2:15 left.

Yap added 13 points and six rebounds while PJ Simon chipped in 11 points. Rookie Ian Sangalang also finished in double digits with 10 points to go along with seven rebounds.

“Ian gave us that huge lift that kind of gave us that lead in the fourth quarter. He just doesn’t blink down in the fourth quarter when the pressure is on. He just doesn’t back down,” said Cone of the Mixers’ second overall pick.

Rodgers had the hot hand in the first half with 24 points in 21 minutes in the first half before San Mig Coffee found a way to limit the sharpshooting import’s production when it mattered.

“It’s a real luxury having guys like obviously Ping (Pingris), Rafi (Reavis) and Alex (Mallari) guys who are tall, lanky defenders. One gets into foul trouble and the other guy can step in and defend people,” said Cone.

“When Ping got into foul trouble, Rafi came in and took on the import and gave him fits with his length and veteran smarts,” Cone added.

Marc Pingris had more fouls (5) than points and rebounds combined (4). Rafi Reavis and Alex Mallari also didn’t have exceptional games offensively but their contributions were felt at the other end as they took turns in containing Rodgers.

The game marked both teams’ first meeting since the Mixers prevailed over the Kings in their rough-and-tumble seven-game series in the semifinals last Philippine Cup.

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