Struggling San Mig Coffee will turn things around, promises coach Tim Cone

AKTV file/Paolo Papa

San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone is disturbed by his team’s 0-3 start, but knows all is not lost for the Commissioner’s Cup defending champion.
He took to Twitter on Saturday morning to address fans frustrated by the team’s performance to start the tournament, which includes blowout losses the last two games.
“I want to apologize to all the San Mig Coffee fans for our performance over the last 2 games. You deserve better. We’ll turn it around,” he wrote.
But Cone knows that the team needs to right its ship first.
“Right now, we’re just looking for some stability,” said Cone, whose wards are coming off a 93-65 loss to Rain or Shine and are facing the dangerous Talk ‘N Text in the main game on Sunday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
“We’ll get going eventually it’s just a matter of when,” he said. “We’re hoping its sooner than later. Maybe we can start it against Talk ‘N Text.”
San Mig Coffee tweaked its roster during the midseason break, letting Jonas Villanueva and JC Intal go to Barako Bull and Aldrech Ramos to Alaska via trade.
In return, the Mixers got Alex Mallari from Petron Blaze and Leo Najorda and Lester Alvarez from the Energy Colas.
The changes have not worked out so far for the squad.
“We’ve played with three different lineups in three different games then add in our new additions by trade, and it’s been very unsettling for us so far,” he said.
“They key is getting our core players to pick up their energy and intensity. That’s what is lacking and what we’re concerned about.”
The American coach added that Denzel Bowles will work himself into shape and get the form that helped the franchise win the crown against the Tropang Texters last season.

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/struggling-san-mig-coffee-will-turn-things-around-promises-coach-tim-cone

I just messed up, admits Bowles after blowout loss By Mei-Lin Lozada

“I'm still trying to get my legs back, the jetlag and all that but I don't make excuses. I had a very bad game,” says highly regarded San Mig import Denzel Bowles. Jerome Ascano

DENZEL Bowles summarized in three words what San Mig Coffee and its fans saw on Friday night.
"I messed up."
Last year's best import and fan favorite offered no excuses after proving to be a big disappointment in his debut game in this year's Commissioner's Cup, finishing with just 12 points and committing a game-high eight turnovers in a 65-93 blowout loss to Rain or Shine.
“I knew that I just messed up," said the athletic import who became a favorite among San Mig fans after leading the popular team to the championship in this same conference last year. "I just got to get my offense back and my rhythm back on the court."
The 6-10 Bowles admitted that he is still suffering from jetlag and has yet to get his timing back since arriving on Sunday to replace Matt Rogers, but refused to make any excuses.
“I'm still trying to get my legs back, the jetlag and all that but I don't make excuses. I had a very bad game,” said Bowles. “Right now my timing is lost. I hope I could get my timing back and be okay.”
Bowles and the Mixers will have just one day to recover from the blowout before facing reigning Philippine Cup champion Talk 'N Text on Sunday, but the 23-year-old import has vowed to atone for Friday's embarrassment.
“I'm sure they want to come out and blow us out but we're not going to give up on that. We'll come out on Sunday,” he said.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @meilinlozada

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/i-just-messed-up-admits-bowles-after-blowout-loss