Game today (Tubod, Lanao del Norte)
6:30 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Air21
Games tomorrow (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:15 p.m. – Petron vs Globalport
6:30 p.m. – Alaska vs Ginebra
MANILA, Philippines - San Mig Coffee, with a healthier lineup, sizzled even more last night, clobbering Barako Bull under debuting coach Bong Ramos, 93-73, to clinch an outright playoff berth in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
The Mixers shifted into high gear towards the end of the third quarter, ending the period with an 11-to-nothing run and sustaining the heat in the final quarter for yet another big win that jacked up their record to 7-2.
JC Intal and Joe Devance came back from injuries and helped provide the spark in their searing second-half charge leading to the team’s fifth straight victory.
“We didn’t have the energy and we didn’t like our tempo in the first half. Our first group didn’t come out well, but they did a better job in the second half. We had a big run in the third. And it was a key win,” said San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone.
He added that they exerted extra effort on defense after barely beating Barako Bull, 92-91, in their initial match.
“The last time, we won by the skin of our teeth. We were really just lucky,” said Cone.
Despite an injury-hit lineup, Barako Bull dragged San Mig Coffee in a battle through the first 35 minutes of the game, but just couldn’t keep step as the Mixers pressed their bid in the crunch.
The Energy Cola slipped to 3-7.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine (6-3) tries to stay right behind frontrunners Talk n Text and San Mig Coffee as the Elasto Painters play the resurgent Air21 Express in the Tubod, Lanao del Norte stop of the Phoenix Fuel PBA on Tour at 6:30 p.m. tonight.
James Yap and PJ Simon put the bulk of their two-point games in the second half, anchoring a rampage that had San Mig Coffee leading by 20 at 83-63.
Talk n Text also played better with a healthier lineup, repeating over Meralco, 109-98, to keep its hold of the lead with an 8-2 card in the nightcap.
Meralco remained in search of a first-ever win in the Ynares Sports Center, but stayed at fourth place in the all-Filipino tourney at 5-4.