MERALCO’S Gary David drives to the basket off Alaska’s Tony dela Cruz in yesterday’s match at Smart Araneta Coliseum. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines — It’s still our time.
Outspoken coach Tim Cone declared this Sunday night after San Mig Coffee chopped down hulking Barangay Ginebra in the final seven minutes for a 102-90 victory that gave the Grand Slam-seeking Mixers the solo lead in the Governors’ Cup eliminations at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“They (Gin Kings) are an up-and-coming team, and I hope they stay that way for now,” Cone added in jest. “They can (win titles) in the next conference or next season. I just hope not this one.”
Marqus Blakely scored 15 fourth quarter points and the San Mig defense held the Gin Kings scoreless in a crucial four-minute span to turn what had been a nip-and-tuck game into a blowout as the Mixers rose to 4-1 overall with their third straight win.
In the first game, Meralco finally ended its victory drought by nipping Alaska, 88-87, and kept the Bolts mathematically in the hunt for a seat in the playoffs.
Cliff Hodge played all but two minutes and scored 20 points that went with 12 boards and Mike Cortez made his first appearance in more than four months to shoot 19 and provide the stability Meralco needed at the point guard spot.
Ginebra went into a drought after taking a 79-78 lead with a Mark Caguioa jumper off James Yap going into the final 7:29.
And the Kings would not score again until the final 3:24 to drop to 3-1 and fall into a tie with idle Air21 and Talk ‘N Text.
When LA Tenorio broke Ginebra’s silence, the Mixers had scooted away by 15 with a 16-0 run, thanks to a brilliant effort on both ends that saw San Mig score five straight points in a 17-second span to highlight the spurt.
Blakely, the winner of the Best Import award here last season who can give the Mixers a fourth straight title with another winning run here, finished with 34 points, 17 rebounds, six steals and three assists.
Peter June Simon contributed 19 and Marc Barroca finished with 11.
Ginebra had the upperhand for more than three quarters and it looked like the Mixers were just taking their time before breaking away.
Meanwhile, Air21 and Talk ‘N Text shoot for solo second place Monday when they collide in the lone game scheduled at 8 p.m. at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The scores:
First Game
MERALCO 88—West 21, Hodge 20, Cortez 19, Hugnatan 16, Guevarra 9, David 3, Bringas 0, Caram 0, Sena 0.
ALASKA 87—Walker 25, Abueva 17, Casio 15, Espinas 13, Baguio 9, Jazul 3, Hontiveros 3, Manuel 2, Belasco 0, Dela Cruz 0, Thoss 0.
Quarters: 21-20, 44-38, 66-64, 88-87
Second Game
SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE 102—Blakely 34, Simon 19, Barroca 11, Maliksi 9, Devance 8, Pingris 8, Yap 8, Sangalang 4, Reavis 1, Mallari 0.
GINEBRA 90—Mason 18, Caguioa 18, Aguilar 12, Slaughter 11, Tenorio 11, Ellis 6, Helterbrand 5, Monfort 5, Reyes 2, Mamaril 2, Baracael 0, Ababou 0.
Quarters: 26-25, 47-50, 70-70, 102-90