Mixers level series with Express

JOSEPH Yeo of Air21 takes it hard to the basket off San Mig Coffee import James Mays and Marc Pingris in the game that was still being played at press time last night at the Big Dome. August dela Cruz

MANILA, Philippines—San Mig Coffee broke away late in the second period and coasted along for an 82-75 Game 2 victory over Air21 Thursday night that squared their best-of-five series in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup’s Final Four at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Facing the Express in a virtual must-win situation after losing the series-opener on Tuesday, the Mixers wheeled away from 31-all by closing the second period with a 19-3 run to take command for good.

Defense proved the key this time for San Mig, which allowed the Express 103 points in Game 1.

“We came back to our character,” San Mig coach Tim Cone said. “We are a defensive team and we came back to the tempo that we want to be in.”

San Mig, the champion in the last two conferences looking to hold all three PBA titles simultaneously with another title run here, bloated a 50-34 lead after two quarters to as large as 77-57 in the fourth.

The loss was the first in four playoff games for Air21—the seventh-seeded side that bundled out No. 2 San Miguel Beer.

James Mays scored 25 points that went with 23 rebounds and five assists to lead San Mig, which grabbed momentum for Game 3, set at 8 p.m. Saturday, also at the Big Dome.

Part of that 19-3 run was a closing 12-0 salvo for the Mixers, whose defense held Air21 import Wesley Witherspoon to three first-half points.

That defense didn’t let up in the second half as the usually productive Witherspoon was only able to add five points to his first-half total.

Peter June Simon had 13 points and Justin Melton 12 coming off the bench.

Air21 fell behind, 57-77, after an Ian Sangalang turnaround with just over 10 minutes remaining, before coming up with its last-gasp stand by creeping to within 70-77.

Asi Taulava led the Express with 21 points and 18 rebounds, while Sean Anthony, who came into the game averaging close to 24 in the playoffs, played with an obvious limp and chipped in eight.

In Friday’s game, Talk ‘N Text battles an undermanned Rain or Shine seeking the franchise’s longest PBA winning streak ever and a closer path to the title series.

The Tropang Texters scored their 12th straight victory with a 94-87 decision of the Elasto Painters Wednesday night for a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five Final Four series.

Gametime is 8 p.m. at the Big Dome.

Wayne Chism is listed as doubtful for the Painters. He twisted his left knee after an awkward landing from a rebound play in Game 2.

Jervy Cruz will be out for at least three weeks while Chris Tiu and JR Quinahan could be unavailable for the rest of the season because of knee injuries for the Painters.

THE SCORES:

SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE 82—Mays 25, Simon 13, Melton 12, Devance 10, Pingris 6, Barroca 6, Yap 5, Sangalang 4, Reavis 1, Mallari 0.

AIR 21 75—Taulava 21, Cardona 20, Yeo 9, Witherspoon 8, Anthony 8, Borboran 3, Villanueva 2, Ramos 2, Burtscher 2, Poligrates 0, Camson 0.

Quarters: 25-20, 50-34, 70-55, 82-75