Mixers ready for Painters fightback

MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine is trying to accomplish what San Mig Coffee (then still called B-Meg Llamados) has failed to do in their first Finals meeting two years ago.

The Mixers had to rally from a 1-3 series deficit to force a winner-take-all Game Seven in the 2012 Governors’ Cup Finals only to fall short in the end.

Now, the pressure is on Rain or Shine to show the same mental toughness to drag this close series to a Game Seven and try to become the only fourth team, and only the second in a Finals series next to Ginebra to win a championship after facing the same tall odds.   

“Right now it’s tough. You can say whatever you want but we’re a resilient team,” Gabe Norwood said.

“We’re gonna fight no matter what. We’ve fought throughout the playoffs. Taking away that Petron blowout, we’ve been fighting in every game,” he added.

Rain or Shine was the hottest team entering the finals having won 12 of their last 13 with their only loss an aberration – a 106-73 rout at the hands of Petron Blaze in Game 3 of the semifinals.

But after winning the series opener against a tired San Mig team, it was downhill for the Painters, who are hoping to get their first Philippine Cup title and second crown overall.

Rain or Shine lost the last two games in a heartbreaking fashion – 77-76 in Game Three and 93-90 in Game Four – to dig themselves a 1-3 hole.

“It was a tough one. We played hard. It’s been a couple of plays here and there. We just have to find a way to win close games,” Norwood said.

But despite the huge lead, the Mixers don’t want to let their guards down.

“Mahirap i-close out kasi alam natin ang Rain or Shine, hindi basta-basta magpapatalo yan. Walang magre-relax hangga’t hindi bumabagsak yung mga lobo,” San Mig top gunner James Yap said.

The Mixers are going for the kill in Game Five with or without injured Marc Pingris.

“Back against the wall sila eh so magiging desperate sila. Gagawin nila lahat para makabalik so kailangan higitan namin yun,” San Mig playmaker Mark Barroca said. “Ang mentality namin dapat ay wala na ring bukas para makuha namin sa Linggo.”