No panic button for Cone

MANILA, Philippines - Despite a twice-to-beat disadvantage and James Yap a doubtful starter, San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone isn’t pushing the panic button as the Mixers take on Alaska in Game 4 of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinal duel at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

Alaska hacked out an 89-82 extension win over San Mig Coffee to take a 2-1 series lead last Wednesday but Cone said he’s confident the Mixers will survive. “It’s nothing new that our backs are against the wall,” he said. “That’s how it was against Meralco in the quarterfinals but we won two in a row. We were also at a twice-to-beat disadvantage against Meralco in the last Commissioner’s Cup but pulled through. I think we’re 5-0 or 6-0 in do-or-die situations. We just have to play our game. It’s not one guy who needs to step up, it’s everyone. If James isn’t playing, we’ll look to P. J. (Simon) to score for us.”

Yap has been hampered by back problems and in Game 3, tallied seven points on 2-of-14 field goals and 1-of-2 free throws in 33 minutes. “It’s no secret that James is hurting,” said Cone. “His back isn’t improving, it’s getting worse. We talked about it. It’s gotten to the point where the pain is unbearable and we’re leaning on shutting him down for the series. Give James immense credit for playing with pain. He’s done everything he can to go out there and play. It’s a tough situation. James has gone through a lot this conference, mentally and physically. He didn’t want stop battling. That’s how big his heart is.”

Cone said Yap refuses to give up. “He’s doing everything he can, including late night and early morning therapy sessions, alternative medicines, you name it,” continued Cone. “He’s certainly playing with pain and so at what point does he or we say enough is enough and we need to shut him down. All I can say is he’s shown great character trying to battle through this. A lesser player would have backed off long before now and I’m really proud of him. He just feels real bad that he’s not contributing the way he knows he can if healthy.”

Cone said Alaska’s win in Game 2 was supposed to be a breakthrough as it snapped the Aces’ 9-game losing streak since he left the Uytengsu franchise to join San Mig Coffee, previously known as B-Meg. “That streak was a statistical anomaly and wasn’t reflective of how good Alaska is,” said Cone. “It certainly didn’t mean that we’re better than them. It was just a matter of time before the streak ended. I’m not at all surprised at Alaska’s progress. Obviously, I know (Alaska) coach Luigi (Trillo) very well. He was my assistant for 12 years at Alaska. I knew sooner or later, the team would evolve, that’s because of the Alaska culture of excellence stemming from Fred (Uytengsu). They know how to develop a good team with good coaches and good players. I knew they weren’t going to be down for very long.”

Cone admitted that so far in the series, Alaska has outplayed and outcoached the Mixers. “They’re doing a better job than us,” he said. “The key was Game 3. We had a 16-point lead but couldn’t hold them back. They turned it around.”

Regarding Alaska rookie Calvin Abueva, Cone said he’s an awesome player. “Calvin attacks in transition, goes to the boards,” he said. “Would I want an Abueva on my team? Of course, that’s a no-brainer. Abueva does his thing out there. Alaska doesn’t run the triangle as much as we do although their sets lead to the triangle with ball screens and hand-offs to suit Jvee (Casio), Cyrus (Baguio) and R. J. (Jazul). They do lots of motion offense.”

Trillo said he expects Game 4 to be more physical than ever and points to a critical matchup between point guards Casio and Mark Barroca. “Jvee has really grown but he should not be satisfied,” said Trillo. “Barroca was his teammate in Gilas and we expect them to try to get more physical with Jvee who needs to be ready. I demand a lot from Jvee and we both know it. I’m hard on him and we have mutual respect for each other.”

As for Mixers import Denzel Bowles, Trillo said it’s important that Alaska stifles his rhythm. “Bowles is a big-time scorer,” he said. “He wins big games when he forces things. Robert (Dozier) is more all-around. He has really exceeded my expectations and we had discussed at the start of the season that Alaska’s emergence will depend on his growth and he has grown.”

Trillo said crossing swords with mentor Cone is nothing personal. “After all is said and done with coach Tim, we can talk again but for now, we have business to take care of and that is to get to the next round,” he said. “I’m sure they want nothing more than to beat us. Both teams want it bad at this point. I still have a lot to learn but this is also our time to take our stand and make this conference count.”