Ginebra-San Mig Coffee tuneup ends in a draw

Joe Devance of San Mig Coffee and Mark Caguioa of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. PBA FILE PHOTO and FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and San Mig Coffee battled to a draw on Saturday in a tuneup game that didn’t feel like one.

In a game featuring two storied rivals and two of the most followed teams in the league, the match, eight days before the 40th PBA Season unfurls, had no shortage of drama.

Mixers forward Joe Devance tied the game at 92 on a floater with under 20 seconds left before Kings guard Mark Caguioa missed on his attempt and the Mixers couldn’t execute in the game’s last possession as time ran out that left fans of both squads at the Ronac Art Center hanging.

Both teams threatened to pull away at one point in the game with Ginebra taking a double-digit lead early and San Mig Coffee, which pulled off a Grand Slam in the previous season, took a nine-point lead late.

Athletic big man Japeth Aguilar led all scorers with 22 points before fouling out with still two minutes left. Billy Mamaril added 14 for the Kings.

Ian Sangalang had 14 for the Mixers, who missed the services of Marc Pingris. Alex Mallari, Mark Barroca and James Yap chipped in 10 each.

Ginebra and San Mig Coffee will meet for the first time in the upcoming season on November 9 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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