Marqus Blakely of San Mig (light) vs Dominic Sutton of Air21 (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines–Marqus Blakely delivered the most crucial points and came up with a lot of the intangibles for San Mig Coffee in overtime and led the Mixers to a high-wire 113-109 victory over Air21 Monday night in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Blakely scored all but one of the Mixers’ eight overtime points and had the block of the night on Air21 import Dominique Sutton that helped keep the Express scoreless inside the final 2:53 as San Mig wrested solo second place with a 5-2 card.
The winner of the Best Import award last season, Blakely finished with 36 points, 17 rebounds, seven assists and seven blocks.
It was a sorry loss for the Express, who rallied from 13 points down in the third period to forge extension at 105-all after Joseph Yeo scored on a double-pumping three-pointer with 1.9 seconds left in regulation.
“We’re not playing defense the way we can,” San Mig coach Tim Cone said. “That’s why to be able to come out and win even if you’re not playing your best [defense] is huge.”
Air21 dropped into a tie for fourth with Rain or Shine and San Miguel Beer at 4-3.
Blakely hit 22-of-31 free throw attempts, including four straight that had the Mixers grabbing the lead, 111-109, going into the final 38.5. The final two freebies were made possible after that block on Sutton on the other end.
On Tuesday, Rain or Shine and Talk ‘N Text battle separate foes who are looking to avoid elimination, also at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Elasto Painters slug it out with the Meralco Bolts in the 5:45 p.m. game before the Tropang Texters take the floor at 8 p.m. opposite the Barako Bull Energy.
THE SCORES:
SAN MIG COFFEE 113—Blakely 36, Simon 17, Pingris 14, Maliksi 11, Melton 9, Yap 9, Barroca 6, Devance 4, Reavis 4, Mallari 3, Sanggalang 0.
AIR21 109—Sutton 22, Taulava 21, Yeo 20, Poligrates 17, Ramos 8, Villanueva 6, Camson 6, Borboran 5, Menor 2, Cardona 2, Villanueva 0, Burtscher 0, Atkins 0.
Quarters: 21-27, 48-43, 80-69, 105-105 (reg.), 113-109