No time to relax as Mixers go for the kill

MANILA, Philippines – James Yap packed his knees with ice. And so did Marc Pingris while the rest of the San Mig Coffee Mixers grabbed a slice of pizza past 11p.m. last Tuesday night.

The San Mig Coffee Mixers have just came back from a four-point deficit inside the final minute to gut out a 77-75 escape win over Talk n Text Tropang Texters to move ahead, 2-1, in the PBA Commissioners’ Cup Finals.

A few moments ago, Yap dished off a pass to a cutting James Mays who converted a three-point play that chopped a 75-71 Talk n Text lead to just a solitary point. Then a couple of more plays saw Yap with one of his million moves burying the game winning jumper from deep corner over the outstretched arms of Kelly Williams.

Yap’s spirits felt good but his body was tired from the beating of almost every other day brutal game.

Game Three was the Mixers’ eighth game in two weeks.  in contrast, the Texters managed to have at least one week rest before the Finals. 

San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone came from his traditional post-game press conference with the media reporters and made sure he won’t tire his team with his short post-game huddle.

“Great game guys, tough win. But our work is not yet done. We don’t need to get excited right now. It was great character win. Again, it doesn’t mean anything until we win the championship,” Cone told his players before letting them go.

Yap and Pingris were two of the last players who emerged from the locker room.

“Gaya ng sinabi ni coach kanina, walang meaning ‘tong panalong ‘to pag di kami nag-champion,” Yap told Philstar.com.

“Hindi kami titigil magtrabaho. Siguradong patayan sa Thursday dahil hindi basta-basta ibibigay ng Talk n Text yan. Gusto rin nila mag-champion,” the Game Three hero added.

Pingris, who has this penchant of guaranteeing a victory for the Mixers, has reservations this time around.

“Kapag pinagtrabahuan namin ‘tong Game 4, sasabihan kong sa amin na ‘to. Kasi ang hirap din mag-celebrate ng wala pa eh. Minsan, kahit gusto naming kunin may tendency kaming mag-relax,” Pingris said.

Pingris, though, vowed to give their all this Thursday night at the Philsports Arena since a Game Five will be riskier for a tired team like them.

“So next game, ayaw naming mag-relax. Gusto naming makuha ‘to dahil pag umabot pa ‘to ng Game 5, 50-50 pa sa lakas ng lineup ng Talk n Text. Mas delikado kami dun,” Pingris added. “I hope next game, mailabas namin kung ano talaga ang baraha namin.”

Both Yap and Pingris hope that this Thursday night will be the last time they will go home from a game near midnight in this conference.