Mixers stop Painters, even series at 1-1

MANILA, Philippines -- No way San Mig Coffee would commit another fatal mistake in this game.

Taking to heart their bitter Game One defeat, the Mixers put a good distance away from the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters early and sustained a dominant game throughout, pulling off an 80-70 win in Game Two of the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven finale at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.

San Mig Coffee limited Rain or Shine to measly 24 points in the first half then the Mixers held their ground as Jeff Chan, Paul Lee and Gabe Norwood found their touch in the second half, thus, avenging their 80-83 loss in the series opener.

The Mixers made short work of the E-Painters two nights after the long Friday match they lost on critical endgame lapses.  

“I thought it’s gonna be a bad day. It turned out to be good,” said San Mig Coffee Tim Cone.

“It surprised me that the players were ready. I thought they’re tired and we had nothing to give,” Cone also said. “But our first group played with great energy then our second group did a good defensive job.”

San Mig Coffee outworked and outplayed Rain or Shine as the Mixers set the tone of the match early, punishing the E-Painters hardest midway through the fourth period where they led by 18 couples of times.

Paced well by their coach, the San Mig core group of James Yap, Marc Pingris, Joe Devance and PJ Simon were at their best in the payoff period, pushing one another as the Mixers took their first 18-point spread at 71-53.

Pingris came through with a double-double game with 12 rebounds and 11 points while Simon, Devance and Yap combined for 41 points. Rookie center Ian Sangalang contributed 10 markers and six rebounds in a 22-minute relief job.

“Ping was very impressive and Joe and Rafi played big as well, and I thought they kept James and PJ fresh throughout,” said Cone.

Chan was the lone Rain or Shine player hitting double figures, firing all but two of his game-high 18 points in the final half.

Ryan Arana started with Chan at wing spots, but failed to finish the game with a collar bone injury suffered right in the first quarter.

Acknowledging San Mig Coffee’s good defense, Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said compounding their woes were bungled layups, open shots and free throws.

“We struggled all game long with our offense,” said Guiao, ruing their miserable 37.2-percent field shooting and 50-percent foul shots.

The Mixers took the half at 37-24 as the Elasto Painters went 0-of-10 from beyond the arc and 10-of-38 overall from the field in the first 24 minutes of play.

Guiao, however, stressed he’s not worried with their Game Two loss.

“It’s a long series and it’s just even now. As I’ve said, the longer the series goes, the better for us,” said Guiao.

“But we can’t afford to give the advantage and the initiative to San Mig. They’re too experienced a team to be given that advantage,” Guiao also said.