San Mig Coffee pummels M. Lhuillier in PBA joust

CEBU, Philippines -  The San Mig Coffee Mixers (formerly B-Meg Llamados) launched a blistering rally in the second quarter and then played steadier in the final half to trounce the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños, 82-69, at the start of the 2012 Mayor Mike Rama Cup PBA Pre-Season Games yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

After a close opening battle that was accounted for four lead changes and five deadlocks, the last wat at 20-all, the Coffee Mixers of coach Tim Cone dropped a 23-10 bomb to turn a marginal 23-20 lead into a 16-point bubble at halftime, 46-30.

James Yap paced the Coffee Mixers with 14 points including five straight late in the last period that doused cold water on M. Lhuillier's comeback hopes.

Peter June Simon chipped in 13 markers and Aldrich Ramos added 10 for the Coffee Mixers, who enjoyed their biggest lead at 22 points, 54-32, with just a minute gone by in the third canto.

Mark Ababon and Nat Cruz kicked off the fourth quarter with back-to-back triples in a 10-3 run but M. Lhuillier couldn't get any closer than 13 points, 54-67, with still 8:52 left to play.

Yap then scored on a 5-0 swing to put San Mig Coffee beyond reach anew, 78-60, with only four minutes to go.

Ian Saladaga and Abby Santos cashed in 11 points apiece for M. Lhuillier, which will take on Cebuano hotshot Dondon Hontiveros and the Alaska Aces in today's first game at 5 pm.

The team with the best record at the end of the three-day invitational tournament will automatically be declared as champion.  

The scores

San Mig Coffee (82) - Yap 14, Simon 13, Ramos 10, Villanueva 8, Reavis 8, Ponferada 6, Barroca 6, Pingris 5, De Ocampo 5, Gaco 5, Pacana 2

M. Lhuillier (69) - Santos 11, Saladaga 11, Cruz 7, Ababon 7,Cañada 7, Padilla 6, Magsumbol 5, Rodriguez 4, Mondragon 4, Heruela 3, Dumaping 3, Gatumbato 2

Quarterscores:23-20; 46-30;62-44;82-69 (FREEMAN)