PBA: No rust - San Mig Coffee Mixers trounce GlobalPort in Comm. Cup debut

(Updated 10:28pm) Just a few weeks after winning the Philippine Cup, the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers torpedoed GlobalPort Batang Pier in the former's 2014 Commissioner's Cup debut, 91-75, on Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

The Mixers used a 31-12 second quarter to pull away from GlobalPort, who afterwards came to within eight points several times, but unable to further trim the gap. Under new head coach Pido Jarencio, the Batang Pier are still winless after three games.

2013 second overall pick Ian Sangalang led six Mixers in double-digit scoring with 16 points and five rebounds. Import James Mays had 15 markers and six boards. Marc Pingris added 13 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, while Mark Barroca notched 11 points and five assists. PJ Simon and James Yap each tallied 10 points.

After winning the Philippine Cup, coach Tim Cone said that his team didn't have the typical "championship hangover" for three reasons: firstly they managed their break well. Secondly, he has a completely healthy roster. Third, his bench unit came out to play tonight. "We've got some eager beavers," he said, referring to Justin Melton, Alex Mallari and Sangalang. "They can carry the load for a little while. We also have a high energy import. He got into some foul trouble today, but I don't think you've seen the best of him yet.

"The key right now is really our second group," said Cone, saying he wants to "pull a Tim Duncan" on Simon, Yap, Pingris and Joe Devance during the elimination round. "We talked to our vets and said we're gonna try and keep you out of the game as much as we can. If we can get that second group to play, that's our goal.

"I'd put Mark [Barroca] in [that group], but he'd probably take a gun and shoot me if I tried to limit his minutes. But he can play those minutes, he's still young," he joked. Cone added that he'll give his veterans more playing time in big games, but for now the goal was to keep his group fresh for the playoffs.

Both teams began evenly matched, as a PJ Simon trey tied the game at 12-12 midway through the first period. But GlobalPort had more success inside, as their frontcourt of Jay Washington, Evan Brock and Kelly Nabong carried them with an 8-4 rally to close the frame, 20-16.

GlobalPort's fortunes changed quickly in the second though, as they conceded 10 straight points to Ian Sangalang and import James Mays, mostly at the rim, 26-20. Batang Pier proceeded to give up 25 points through eight minutes, as Mark Barroca and Alex Mallari also scored at will, 41-27.

Brock converted a putback with three minutes left, just Batang Pier's third field goal in the quarter, before the Mixers took a 47-32 lead at the half.


Four quick baskets put Batang Pier in a 19-point hole early in the second half, but the Mixers' offense dissipated just as quickly. Brock and Justin Chua bannered a 19-9 run to keep GlobalPort in the game, 57-47. Marc Pingris then came alive for San Mig Coffee and took care of business down low, but couldn't quite bottle up Batang Pier. RR Garcia scooped a layup during GlobalPort's final possession of the period to keep it within 10 points, 68-58.

The rookies stepped up as the Mixers tried to pull away, 80-64, after Justin Melton tipped in an alley-oop pass. Brock tried to inspire Batang Pier one last time after capping an 8-0 run, though that was broken up by PJ Simon's fast break layup to start seven unanswered for the Mixers until a minute left in the game.

San Mig Coffee shot 35-of-78 (44.9 percent) from the floor, while GlobalPort went 27-of-79 (34.2 percent).

Evan Brock put up a Herculean effort with 27 points, 28 rebounds and five steals. Jay Washington was the only other Batang Pier in double-digit scoring or rebounding with 14 points and 11 rebounds, albeit on a 7-of-19 field goal shooting clip.  - AMD, GMA News


The scores:

SAN MIG COFEE 91 - Sangalang 16, Mays 15, Pingris 13, Barroca 11, Simon 10, Yap 10, Melton 7, Mallari 5, Devance 4, Cawaling 0, Reavis 0

GLOBALPORT 75 - Brock 27, Washington 14, Garcia 9, Ponferrada 8, Chua 6, Cabagnot 5, Nabong 2, Romeo 2, Macapagal 2, Yee 0, Salvador 0, Custodio 0

Quarter scoring: 16-20, 47-32, 68-58, 91-75