Denzel Bowles hopes to play more consistently as the Mixers try to boost their bid for back-to-back titles. Jerome AscanoIT has been up and down for former Best Import awardee Denzel Bowles in three games since returning to the PBA, but he has vowed to steady himself and help San Mig Coffee in its bid for a back-to-back Commissioner’s Cup titles.
San Mig Coffee, 2-1 with Bowles, tries to get a confidence-boosting victory on Wednesday when it clashes with league-leading Alaska in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Mixers have won their last two games since opening the conference with three straight losses. They look to extend the streak and become the first team to beat the Aces (5-0) this conference.
“I just want to play with the same intensity and try to grab every rebound and help the team win as much as possible,” said Bowles, last season’s Commissioner’s Cup best import.
The 6-foot-10 Bowles has come up with modest numbers in his first three games since replacing Matt Rogers — 19.6 points, 14.6 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.3 assists in 34 minutes of play.
Bowles fouled out minutes before the Mixers completed a 91-84 victory over the Globalport Batang Pier on Saturday in Naga City, Camarines Sur, finishing with just 18 points and seven boards.
He will be going up against a cat-quick Alaska import Robert Dozier, who may not be flashy but has fit well into the Aces’ triangle offense.
The 6’9” Dozier normed 22.2 points, 15.8 rebounds, 3.2 blocks and two assists in five games with the Aces, who are coming off a surprisingly easy 92-69 rout of Talk ’N Text last week.
Alaska coach Luigi Trillo believes the game against San Mig won’t be easy since the Aces are 0-2 to the Mixers during the Philippine Cup.
“San Mig has always given us fits, though they are not 100 percent yet,” said Trillo.
However, Trillo feels his wards are up to the task since they have proven this conference that they bring the best out of each other.
“I think some of these guys (Aces) are warriors too. And I think the nice thing is they bring the best out of each other,” he added.
Sonny Thoss is expected to also shadow Bowles, a role he has fully embraced this conference, which has somehow allowed Dozier to move more freely around the court.
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source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/streaking-mixers-clash-with-unbeaten-aces
