PJ Simon NUKI SABIO
MANILA, Philippines—Peter Simon uncorked a baseline jumper with 40.2 ticks left to help San Mig Coffee survive Talk N’ Text, 83-82, Wednesday in the 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Mixers managed to claw back from six points down, 76-82, in the final three minutes, and Simon’s clutch bucket gave them their final lead of the game.
But San Mig Coffee also had immense luck on its side as two clean shots from the Texters, which could’ve won them the game, just rattled out in the last possession.
“Don’t ask me why how we did it, I honestly don’t know. I’m just happy we’re able to do it,” San Mig Coffee head coach Tim Cone said after the game.
The Mixers spent the entire game catching up and got a taste of the lead at the end of the third quarter. But it was a fleeting moment as Talk N’ Text surged anew.
After getting outworked, as Cone admitted, in the first 44 minutes of the game — the Mixers stepped it up where it mattered most.
“It’s a crucial must win game for us. We needed to win, not only for the standings, but for our confidence,” Cone said as his squad’s title retention bid reeks of inconsistency.
Denzel Bowles led the Mixers with 18 points, eight rebounds and four blocks — including two in their comeback stretch.
San Mig Coffee improved to 6-6 while Talk N’ Text dropped to 5-6.
The Texters, though, were merely a basket away from victory — having enough time in their final possession to snatch the game.
Ryan Reyes uncorked two triple attempts from the elbow but both rattled out to the frustration of Talk N’ Text, which missed the services of Jared Dillinger and Kelly Williams.