Mixers eye 2-0 cushion vs Texters
SAN MIG Coffee tries to put top-ranked Talk ‘N Text into a huge hole today when the Mixers and the Tropang Texters clash in Game 2 of their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals series at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao today.
The Mixers, who can complete just the league’s fifth Grand Slam with a successful title defense here, hope to carry the momentum of a come-from-behind 92-88 series opening win just two nights before.
And this is exactly what Talk ‘N text coach Norman Black wants to avoid—for falling 0-2 behind such a formidable team like the Mixers will practically be lights out for Texters’ season.
The winner of this best-of-five series advances to face the survivor of the Alaska-Rain or Shine match-up, Game 1 of which was going on at press time.
After pulling off a win in Game 1 which Talk ‘N Text controlled 95 percent of the way, it’s obvious that the Mixers would have to bring confidence coming into their 8 p.m. game.
In this season, San Mig and Talk ‘N Text have come across each other in a series in all three conferences. The Mixers bundled out the Texters in the quarterfinals of the Philippine Cup also after taking the opening game.
San Mig then won the second jewel of what could be a Triple Crown by ruling the Commissioner’s Cup in four games also against the Texters. The Mixers also won the opener of that series.
“No question Game 2 is a must-win situation for us,” said Black. “We cannot afford to go down two games.”
Executing perfectly in the end game is what San Mig did in Game 1, rallying from 66-75 down with 5:41 to go to forge overtime.
San Mig’s defense has been the key to its successes this year, and Talk ‘N Text bore the brunt of the Mixers’ determined stand on Thursday night when the Texters were held scoreless for a combined eight-minute stretch in the fourth quarter and in overtime.
Marqus Blakely and Marc Pingris are making life difficult inside for Talk ‘N Text. The duo also dropped crucial baskets in Game 1, making them Black’s main concerns for tonight.
