Tim Cone. Photo by August dela Cruz/File Photo
MANILA, Philippines — After Alaska quickly scored six points in overtime, it all went downhill from there for defending PBA Commissioner’s Cup champion San Mig Coffee.
After leading for most part in regulation — by as much as 15 late in the first half — an 86-80 lead by the Aces with 3:45 left in the extension just rattled the Mixers.
“They made some nice plays. We made some defensive mistakes, got frustrated and distracted by it and lost our focus early in OT,” said head coach Tim Cone.
San Mig Coffee only scored two points in OT, off a lucky jumper by PJ Simon with 3:27 left, before a split freethrow by Robert Dozier and an exclamation slam from Calvin Abueva sealed the win 89-82 for Alaska.
“We lost of focus and concentration in OT. They dominated us in OT. We had chances to win the game in regulation but missed some FTs (free throws). They did a good job of hanging around. Good job. Well coached,” said Cone.
Import Denzel Bowles had a great first half, but only scored three in the second half and overtime, to finish with a team-best 19 points.
“I thought Denzel [Bowles] got maybe a little winded in the 2nd half. He wasn’t moving as harder. I got to spot his minutes a little better in the next game,” Cone added.
They are now just a setback away from being knocked out of their title retention, but it’s not something the Mixers have not been in before.
“We’ve been here before, we’ve had our backs to the wall before. We’ve handled these situations before, we just got to come out and focus on game four,” he said.
Game four is set on Saturday at 6:15 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.