Filtered By: Sports
Sports
2013 Comm. Cup Quarterfinals: #4 San Mig Coffee Mixers vs #5 Meralco Bolts
By Chuck Araneta
Elimination round record: Import showdown Eric Dawson made heads turn not only with his uncanny resemblance to Kevin Durant but also with his prolific scoring ability, ending the elimination round by leading the league in scoring (30.8 PPG). On a team full of perimeter scorers and a great passing point guard, the Bolts adjusted and used Dawson more efficiently by letting him do his work closer to the basket. The result was two games of 50 or more points this conference, sprinkled in with other monstrous scoring outbursts. But for all his skills in putting the ball in the basket, Dawson will have his hands full with the talented Denzel Bowles. While Bowles started the season readjusting himself to the schemes of San Mig Coffee, he finished strong, becoming an anchor for the Mixers both on offense and defense (2.08 blocks). More than the output on the floor though, Bowles’ confidence permeated throughout the rest of his teammates, and they rallied around their leader just in time to seize the fourth seed and finish the conference strong. [Related: From the Stands episode 52 - previewing the quarterfinals] The X-factor In his first conference as the clear-cut floor leader of the Mixers, Mark Barroca gave a good account of himself, putting up averages of 7.93 points, 3.43 rebounds, 3.43 assists and 2.00 steals. His methodical and patient style of orchestrating suited the Mixers, who prioritize maximizing possessions and setting up their triangle offense. Against the Bolts, a team that likes to speed up the game and run to look for fast break treys and a streaking Dawson, Barroca’s responsibilities are great. He needs to slow down the game as well as try to contain the penetration and running game of Chris Ross. When Ross breaks down the defense, good things happen for the Bolts. It’s on Barroca to keep that from happening, with the lights shining brightly on him. Sunday Salvacion has been a revelation for Meralco. From starting the season with four DNPs, to making three-point buzzer beating bombs, Salvacion (9.60 points on 2.90 three-point conversions per game) has teamed up with Ronjay Buenafe to provide the outside scoring off the bench that Meralco desperately needed. With the Mixers’ defense bound to key in on Dawson throughout the series, Salvacion will have the responsibility of being an outlet on the perimeter and keeping the defense honest. If the veteran Salvacion can keep up his red-hot pace, 42.65 percent from three-point distance, San Mig Coffee will need to make a tough choice whether they can afford to keep sending double-teams down low, or keeping someone on the perimeter. The prediction This is going to be a slugfest. Twice these two teams have gone head-to-head together, with San Mig Coffee winning both. But they didn’t leave the arena without the scars of battle, as PJ Simon lost his two front teeth courtesy of the hyper-active rookie Cliff Hodge. The Mixers will definitely remember this, and odds are they will find a way to counter Hodge, for better or for worse. San Mig Coffee will want to grind out this game just like the coffee it’s famous for, while Meralco will try to run, shoot a lot of outside shots and electrify the crowd. But at the end of the day, the Mixers have the perfect mix of experience and talent on the floor to contain the pesky Bolts. As long as Pingris, Yap, Simon and Devance can overcome their lingering injuries, they should be able to advance to the next round. No doubt, the Bolts will be physical and will push the Mixers. But the boys in blue have been through these kinds of wars many times, and have emerged victorious more often than not. The prediction - San Mig Coffee over Meralco, 2-1. - AMD, GMA News
- San Mig Coffee 8-6
- Meralco 7-7
- March 15, 2013 SMC def. Meralco 76-71
- April 13, 2013 SMC def. Meralco 97-90
It took a while, but Denzel Bowles (R) is slowly getting back to the dominant force he was during the 2012 Commissioner's Cup. KC Cruz
Chris Ross (C) is the catalyst for the Meralco offense. Jeff Venancio
More Videos
Most Popular