Mixers snap Texters’ streak, take 1-0 lead
MANILA, Philippines — San Mig Coffee was supposed to be the tired one going into the PBA Commissioner’s Cup title series with Talk ‘N Text.
But Friday night, just when the Mixers were supposed to be winded after a tight first two quarters, San Mig broke away in the second half to pulverize the Tropang Texters, 95-80, for first blood in their best-of-five championship duel at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Peter June Simon scored 10 of his 16 points, and rookie Ian Sangalang eight of his 12 in the breakaway third period that had the Mixers opening up leads of as large as 17 after closing out the half sitting on a 44-40 edge.
“A couple of things happened tonight,” Tim Cone said when asked why fatigue didn’t seem to be a problem for his Mixers. “First, was we carried the momentum of our last win and that gave us a mental lift. “And second, obviously, they (Tropang Texters) weren’t sharp tonight,” Cone continued.
“They made some uncharacteristic turnovers and missed some threes. We didn’t see the real Talk ‘N Text tonight. But we’ll see them Sunday (in Game 2).”
The Texters appeared lethargic after the halftime break, their defense failing to hold the Mixers down just as their offense started to hit a wall.
“We were thoroughly outplayed tonight,” coach Norman Black said. “I thought San Mig was was more aggressive than we were. They really denied us what we wanted to do in offense. They deserved this win.”
The loss was the first for the Texters after 13 straight wins in this tournament, and that ended Talk ‘N Text’s shot at becoming the first squad to win a championship undefeated.
Though that seemed big to everyone else, Cone said that it was just a “pogi” point that his Mixers don’t care about.
“Breaking their (winning) streak was just a ‘pogi’ point,” Cone said. “What’s important to us is to win the first game so we can have the advantage.”
Two-time MVP James Yap, like the way he did in the Philippine Cup, again showed signs of snapping out of an offensive slump in the finals to drill 17 points and lead San Mig.
James Mays and Richard Howell more or less cancelled each other out, but Cone got five local players tossing in 10 points or more, with Sangalang finishing with 12 like Mark Barroca and Marc Pingris shooting 10.
Jason Castro paced the Texters with 17, but national team standouts Ranidel de Ocampo, Larry Fonacier and Jimmy Alapag combined for only 13.
The scores
SAN MIG COFFEE 95—Yap 17, Simon 16, Barroca 12, Sangalang 12, Mays 10, Pingris 10, Devance 7, Mallari 5, Reavis 4, Melton 2, De Ocampo 0, Gaco 0.
TALK ‘N TEXT 80—Castro 17, Reyes 13, Williams 12, Howell 11, Canaleta 9, De Ocampo 5, Fonacier 5, Alpag 3, Seigle 2, Reyes Rob 1, Reyes Jai 1, Carey 1, Aban 0, Baclao 0.
Quarters: 17-17, 44-40, 70-57, 95-80
