Mixers, Bolts try to rebound

Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

5:15 p.m. – Globalport vs Meralco

7:30 p.m. – San Mig Coffee vs Air21

MANILA, Philippines - San Mig Coffee tries to recover  from a terrible beating while Meralco seeks to rebound from a heart-breaking setback the last time out as they take on separate rivals today in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Mixers, coming off a humiliating 63-92 rout from the Talk n Text Tropang Texters last Wednesday, are expected to vent their ire on the Express in the 7:30 p.m. main game after the Bolts try to erase the stigma of their overtime loss to the Rain or Shine E-Painters, also last Wednesday, 98-102, in a game where Meralco blew a 26-point bulge, against the Globalport Batang Pier at 5:15 p.m.

The Bolts are also looking to avenge their sorry loss to the Batang Pier in their initial meeting.

Globalport nipped Meralco, 105-104, on Oct. 17, and that remains the Batang Pier’s lone win in the tourney up to present.

“Last time we played them, we played with fire and we got burned,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone, meanwhile, won’t delve on their blowout loss to Talk n Text Wednesday as they return to play 48 hours after that game.

“Talk n Text ripped us to shreds and embarrassed us and that’s totally on me as head coach. I obviously didn’t have our guys prepared to play. But because we have a quick turnaround, we’ll put it away for now and revisit that performance at a later date,” said Cone.

“Right now, our focus has to be on Air21 and I need to be a better coach for our guys,” Cone added.

Jimmy Alapag and Ranidel de Ocampo combined for a hot 7-of-9 three-point shooting and a total of 34 points leading Talk n Text’s superb performance in a 92-63 demolition of San Mig Coffee. It was San Mig Coffee’s worst loss in almost a decade.

The Express brace for an uphill battle, expecting the Mixers to come back strong from their Wednesday defeat.

“It’s so hard to play a team that is coming from a bad loss especially a team like San Mig Coffee. For sure, they will regroup and will come out strong to redeem themselves,” said Air21 coach Franz Pumaren.

The Express themselves are looking to regain winning ways after bowing to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 62-71, in a road game in Tubod, Lanao del Norte Saturday. It was Air21’s first loss since its acquisition of Mike Cortez.

Pumaren and his chargers force a three-way tie at sixth place with Alaska and Petron at 5-6 should they upset San Mig Coffee.