Beermen repulse Energy Cola: Mixers take luster off RoS

Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

3 p.m. – Meralco vs Air21

5:15 p.m. – Ginebra vs Talk n Text

MANILA, Philippines - San Mig Coffee stretched its supremacy over Philippine Cup finals rival Rain or Shine as the Mixers blazed past the Elasto Painters, 91-74, in the PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

The Mixers sustained their rampage, making short work of the E-Painters in this Petron Blaze Saturday Special as they did against the Globalport Batang Pier (91-75) and the Barangay Ginebra Kings (90-80).

The lopsided win thus kept coach Tim Cone and his chargers’ unbeaten run since conquering the E-Painters in five games in their all-Filipino best-of-seven titular showdown.

The Mixers, now chasing a three-peat feat, were a lot meaner and tougher with import James Mays in tow.

Complementing one another, Mays and his local teammates thoroughly dominated Rain or Shine and handed the E-Painters their third loss in four starts.

“We had a little bit of everything going for us. We played real good defense, controlled the boards and kind of overpowered them inside with Big James (Mays),” said San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone.

“The only danger we had was Big James getting into foul trouble. But everybody contributed a little and it turned to be a whole lot, giving us a good win tonight,” Cone added.

The league’s winningest coach said a big key to their romp was their strong start.

“They’re (the E-Painters) a little frustrated as we started well. We knew we have to be real sharp to start, and we were. If we’re not, it would give them the momentum they wanted coming from that loss to San Miguel and in the (all-Filipino) finals series,” said Cone. “We just knew we have to come out on a high level of readiness.”

The Mixers jumped the gun on the E-Painters, taking the opening quarter at 28-19 and staying in full control to the very end.

Earlier, San Miguel Beer let Barako Bull import Josh Dollard get his points but shackled the Barako locals as the Beermen repulsed the Energy Cola, 106-100.

The SMB locals showed up their Barako counterparts, giving Kevin Jones all the help he needed as the Beermen notched their second straight win to improve to 4-1.

The Beermen overcame Dollard’s 46-point explosion, dealing the Energy Cola their fourth loss against a lone win.

“We’re just trying to win some games and trying to constantly improve. We still have a lot of challenges ahead of us,” said San Miguel consultant Todd Purves.

Meanwhile, unbeaten leader Talk n Text presses its bid for a Top Two finish in the elims, gunning for a sixth straight win as it tackles Barangay Ginebra tonight also at the Big Dome.

Air21 unveils new import Wesley Witherspoon against Meralco in the 3 p.m. curtain-raiser.

“Whatever success we’re having now we want to continue that,” said Talk n Text coach Norman Black. “It’s important for us to get as many wins we can and get the Top Two. It’s the only advantage you’ll have in this tourney.”