Upset-seeking Coffee Mixers go for the kill
Game today:
Araneta Coliseum
8 p.m.- Petron Blaze vs. San Mig Coffee
FULLY AWARE of their opponent’s ability to come back, the San Mig Coffee Mixers vow to go all-out and hammer the final nail on the Petron Blaze Boosters’ coffin in tonight’s Game Six of the 38th PBA Governors’ Cup Best-of-Seven Finals at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Coffee Mixers, behind the 22-point and 10-assist performance of Mark Barroca, wrested a 3-2 series lead after a 114-103 victory in Sunday’s Game Five.
It was the first time in the series that a team posted back-to-back wins as San Mig also won Game Five despite losing a 28-point lead.
“As the series gets longer it gets tougher,” San Mig head coach Tim Cone said. “Our mind-set is that it’s going to be tougher than the last game.”
“I’ve been here before, and I don’t want to overstate the fact that they’re a good team. I don’t want to be prophetic saying they’re capable of turning the series around. We’re just going to rely on our games and just play,” Cone added.
San Mig Coffee is gunning for its 10th title while Cone is looking tie Baby Dalupan’s all-time record of 15 championships.
Counting out the talent-laden Boosters would be unwise.
“Right now, we’re down but definitely not out,” said Petron coach Gee Abanilla.
If they are to force a Game Seven, the Boosters have to get the needed production from Arwind Santos, the season’s Most Valuable Player.
Santos has been struggling in the series where he is just averaging 9.0 points and 2.5 rebounds.
The lanky forward was a key factor in Petron’s searing elimination round where he was good for 12.4 points and 8.6 rebounds a game. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA
