Mixers pull down Kings, grab lead

MANILA, Philippines - After 40 minutes of white-knuckle battle, San Mig Coffee flexed its muscles harder and employed a tough full-court press to hurdle Barangay Ginebra, 102-90, and grab the lead in the PBA PLDT Home Telpad Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

The Mixers rattled the Gin Kings with the press, making numerous stops that fueled their sudden breakaway on the way to the top of the heap with a 4-1 win-loss record.

“They’re the dominant team through the first three quarters and we’re just trying to hang on. In the fourth quarter, we put some pressure and we got some free throws that set our defense. It kinda let the dogs out,” said San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone.

“We made a big deal (out of this game). But for us, it’s just trying to get to first place and trying to be amongst the leaders,” Cone also said. “Obviously, Ginebra is up and coming team. We hope they stay as up and coming. Let them get to the top next conference.”

The grand slam-seeking Mixers asserted themselves against the Kings in the end, thus relegating Ginebra down to joint second with Air21 and Talk n Text at 3-1.

The Express and the Tropang Texters both try to catch up with the Mixers for the lead as they face off in a lone game at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City at 8 p.m. tonight.

Earlier, Mike Cortez came through with 19 points, five assists and three rebounds in his comeback from an injury, providing inspiration for Meralco, which notched its first win in the conference with an 88-87 nail-biter over Alaska Milk.

Mario West, Clifford Hodge and Reynel Hugnatan also delivered solid jobs for the Bolts, who finally pulled through in the tough game with a bizarre ending.

The Bolts fumbled their last possession in the last eight seconds and then the Aces threw away their chance to steal the game as Dondon Hontiveros attacked the lane only to kick the ball out to Henry Walker with no more enough time to make a shot.

Thus Meralco nailed a first win after five tries while Alaska dropped to 2-3.

“It’s been a trying conference for us. When one player becomes healthy, one goes down. What we’re showing is resilience, courage under pressure, courage in pain, courage in adversity. In one word, we call if fortitude,” Marqus Blakely came through with 34 points and 17 rebounds, and anchored the Mixers’ pressing defense in the fourth quarter. He accounted for six of the team’s 12 steals.

Behind their lockdown defense, the Mixers got away with 16 unanswered points, making it 94-79 with 3:41 left to play.

The Mixers beat the Kings, 19-7 on turnover points.

Before their fateful fourth quarter run, the Mixers fought the Kings through 13 deadlocks and the same number of lead changes.

Earlier, Mike Cortez came through with 19 points, five assists and three rebounds in his comeback from an injury, providing inspiration for Meralco, which notched its first win in the conference with an 88-87 nail-biter over Alaska Milk.

Mario West, Clifford Hodge and Reynel Hugnatan also delivered solid jobs for the Bolts, who finally pulled through in the tough game with a bizarre ending.

The Bolts fumbled their last possession in the last eight seconds and then the Aces threw away their chance to steal the game as Dondon Hontiveros attacked the lane only to kick the ball out to Henry Walker with no more enough time to make a shot.