Mixers strike again, lead Air21, 2-1

Game tomorrow (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

8 p.m. – San Mig Coffee vs Air21

MANILA, Philippines -  Just a little late this time, but San Mig Coffee – just the last time – jarred Air21 with one lightning strike.

James Mays utterly dominated the boards and Mark Barroca and Justin Melton once again presided over one major assault that carried the Mixers to an 84-73 win and the pivotal 2-1 lead over the Express in their PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinal showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Behind the hustle plays by Barroca and Melton, the Mixers came up with a decisive nine-to-nothing roll to open a 78-63 lead and move a win shy of a third straight finals.

Mays provided solid help throughout with a nine-season league-best of 32 rebounds, including 19 off the offensive board.

“Together with Alex (Mallari), they’re (Barroca and Melton) really working hard together. Last conference was a big moment for these guys. We didn’t see that much this conference. But it’s playoff time, and again they’re there making things happen with their defense, speed and hustle,” said San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone.

“And any time we can get a break for PJ (Simon) and James (Yap), that’s huge for us as the playoff continues,” added Cone on the great relief efforts being put up by his second-string backcourt combination.

In Game Two, Barroca and Melton led a decisive closing run in the first half that had San Mig Coffee breaking loose from a close battle and going on to pull off a series-tying 82-75 win.

Barroca delivered 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one steal while Melton came out in the fourth to help Barroca ignite the lethal assault that sent the Mixers to the doorstep of a repeat of the 2012 Commissioner’s Cup Finals versus the Talk n Text Tropang Texters.

The Mixers take the first of two cracks at wrapping up the semis series at 8 p.m. Monday.

“One game at a time is old cliché. But everyone says that because it’s true. We’ve put this one away and hopefully we can come out to also get the next game,” said Cone.