MIXERS-KINGS TIFF CULMINATES PBA ALL SAINTS DAY TREAT

This is a special game fit to cap a rare PBA triple-bill.

James Yap and his San Mig Coffee teammates take on Mark Caguioa and the rest of the Ginebra gang at
7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, culminating the league’s weeklong All Saints Day
presentation.

San Mig Coffee is two full games up on Ginebra, but the Mixers are not foolish not to brace up for a
battle.

“It doesn’t matter what their record is, Ginebra is always incredibly challenging to play,”
said San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone.

“There’s a lot of pride in that locker room and in the stands. We’ll have to play a lot better
than we’ve recently been playing to beat them,” Cone also said.

The Kings are aching to get back on the winning track, having lost all their last four games after a
2-0 start in the season.

“We need to concentrate on the process – play each play and not to worry about other stuffs. Our
defense also needs to get better,” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.

Tanquingcen and his chargers are feeling the heat, especially after a blowout loss the last time
against the Alaska Milk Aces.

Calvin Abueva barely missed a third double-double game with 19 points and nine rebounds and Jayvee
Casio contributed four triples and a total of 16 as the Aces walloped the Kings, 87-69, a week ago.

The Kings have not won a game in nearly a month or since nipping the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters,
98-94, on Oct. 7.

The Mixers, on the other hand, are coming off back-to-back victories.

San Mig Coffee struggled most of the way before finding the right mix in the payoff period, upending
Globalport, 82-78, Wednesday.

Marc Pingris, James Yap, Joe Devance and Mark Barroca clicked together in the crunch, giving the
Mixers another close win following their 92-91 squeaker over the Barako Bull Energy Cola three days
earlier.

“Too tough. There are lots of tough teams out there that you just can’t walk on the court and
win a basketball game,” said San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone.

“It’s not easy. Teams supposedly on top are finding it tough to win. (As for teams like) Barako
and Globalport, their records don’t reflect how well they’re playing,” Cone added.

Of course, Cone doesn’t expect an easy sailing against the Kings. (SB)

SOURCE: Pba.ph