Mixers frustrate Express in OT

MANILA, Philippines - San Mig Coffee import Marqus Blakely sprang back strong from a poor 11-point showing the last time out, outclassing Air21 counterpart Dominique Sutton as the Mixers beat out the Express, 113-109, in a tough overtime battle to take solo second place in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Blakely dominated with a 36-point and 17-rebound performance highlighted by 22 points from the stripe, negating the solid stand by the Air21 locals as the Mixers formalized playoffs entry with a fifth win against two losses.

Blakely was everywhere while Sutton was nowhere to be found in the crunch as the Mixers dealt the Express their third loss in seven starts.

“In a big scheme of things, it was a big win for us. We had big 12-point lead and they stripped it away. Joseph Yeo really played big. We feel we’re not playing the same kind of defense were playing. But to be able to come out and win even if you’re not in your best is huge,” said San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone.

The Mixers eventually won the game by holding the Express scoreless in the last two minutes of overtime play. Air21 was still ahead, 109-107, before losing steam, firepower and poise.

Meanwhile, Talk n Text tries to claim an outright spot in the Top Four while Rain or Shine seeks to formalize its quarterfinals entry as they face back-to-the-wall foes Barako Bull and Meralco, respectively, at resumption of action tonight.

“This win is crucial, but our job is still very, very hard. Guys like Ping (Marc Pingris), James (Yap), Joe (Devance) and PJ (Simon) must carry their own load and not rely on Marqus too much,” Cone also said.

Blakely carried much of the fight as San Mig Coffee grabbed the key win, propelling the Mixers to solo second and relegating the Express to joint fourth place with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the San Miguel Beermen at 4-3.

Cone, however, still expected the Express to contend for the Top Four and a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarters.

“Air21 is playing really great basketball. Asi is dominant,” said Cone.

Despite five early fouls and the struggle of Sutton, the Express dragged the Mixers to a battle, forcing overtime on a triple by Yeo off Simon with 1.9 ticks left.

Yeo, Taulava and Eloy Poligrates dished out splendid games, enabling the Express to stay in the game almost throughout.

The San Mig second group came off the bench strong in the second period, erasing a six-point deficit and racing ahead, 48-43, at the half.

Allein Maliksi and Alex Mallari combined for 4-of-4 three-pointers to highlight the Mixers’ second-quarter surge after a struggling start.