Jay-r Reyes of Meralco battles Air21’s Nonoy Baclao for possession. Reyes will anchor the Bolts’ interior against Barako Bull today. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
San Mig Coffee and Meralco shoot for a share of second spot Wednesday when they clash with separate foes languishing in the lower half of the standings of the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
The Mixers will go into their 5:15 p.m. clash with newcomer Globalport fresh from a controversial victory over Barako Bull, which is hoping to put the unfortunate incident that doomed the Energy and get back on the winning track opposite the Bolts at 7:30 p.m.
A 92-91 victory sealed by a contested goal-tending noncall in the dying seconds allowed the Mixers to snap a two-game slide, and they are again installed as the solid picks over a considerably lighter foe in Globalport.
The Batang Pier need a win badly at 1-5.
Gary David, last year’s scoring champion, is expected to return from a knee injury in tonight’s game and help former two-time MVP Willie Miller with the scoring for the Batang Pier.
James Yap and Peter June Simon have been the consistent offensive weapons for Tim Cone at San Mig, which has a decided frontline advantage against the Batang Pier.
Both the Mixers and the Bolts have 3-2, cards and Meralco’s job tonight could be tougher considering that it would be coming off a 10-day break against a formidable Barako Bull five.
The Energy slugged it out toe-to-toe with the Energy last Sunday and looked like a clear winner when Enrico Villanueva had a clear look at a short stab for the game-winning shot with less than five seconds remaining.
But Rafi Reavis saved the day for the Mixers by tapping the ball away from the cylinder after it took its first bounce to seal the one-point win. Barako Bull didn’t bother to put the game under protest after being enlightened by commissioner Chito Salud.
Barako Bull has played the tough teams in the first part of its schedule and could climb up the ladder starting with the Bolts.