SAN MIG COFFEE BOOKS SEMIS SEAT

2:09 pm | Thursday, December 13th, 2012

 114 256 135

Put to a test, sophomore Mark Barroca rose to the occasion and helped San Mig Coffee redeem itself from its harrowing experience in the same stage of the PBA Philippine Cup last season.

Barroca dazzled at the finish as the Mixers squeezed out a 92-87 win in overtime over the Petron Blaze Boosters and booked a berth in the Final Four before a good Thursday crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The rookie playmaker was all over the floor at endgame, coming through with one crucial play after another to personally ease Petron Blaze out of the tourney.

It was redemption for the whole team after topping the elims of the tourney last season only to bungle its twice-to-beat advantage versus eventual second placer Powerade.

There’s no stopping coach Tim Cone and his troops from moving to the next round this time.

“Talk about being put in a wringer…..just facing Petron in the quarters is tough. That’s why we really wanted it done right away. We didn’t want a second game,” said Cone.

“It was such a crucial performance by us tonight to knock them out. They had great expectation coming into the season. And getting knocked out is tough. We experienced it last year,” Cone also said.

It took the Mixers great individual effort, including that of Barroca, who curiously was doubtful for this game two days ago.

“He’s Wolverine for us. He is knocked out one moment and he heals in the next moment. On Tuesday in practice, we thought we lost him to an elbow injury. The next day, he showed up and said he’s ready to play,” said Cone.

And what a game Barroca played!

Seeing extended minutes with Jonas Villanueva downed by dengue, the former Smart Gilas mainstay proved up to the task and even emerged the team’s biggest hero with numerous key plays down the stretch.

He took a steal then set up Rafi Reavis for a play that sent the latter to the stripe. He later scored on a jumper then drained two charities to keep the Boosters at bay in OT.

The Mixers had a chance to win it right away in regulation but James Yap missed a step-back jumper off Chris Lutz in the dying seconds.

Yap nonetheless had his moments, leading all scorers with 23 markers.

Marc Pingris piled up double-double numbers with 20 points and 11 rebounds while Joe Devance and PJ Simon added 12 markers each.

The two teams figured in a battle with June Mar Fajardo, Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter and Arwind Santos leading the Petron Blaze charge.

Lassiter failed to finish the game after a bad fall with 5:51 left to play. He was taken out of the venue on a stretcher and rushed to the hospital. (SB)

source: http://pba.inquirer.net/4891/san-mig-coffee-books-semis-seat

Stand-in starter Barroca's clutch baskets aid San Mig's escape in OT thriller By Richard Dy

Petron rookie June Mar Fajardo towers for a short stab against a phalanx of San Mig players. Jerome Ascano

SAN Mig Coffee leaned on the second-half brilliance of sophomore guard Andy Mark Barroca as the Mixers pulled off a come-from-behind 92-87 overtime win against sister Petron Blaze to reach the semifinals on their PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Barroca, the 5’8” guard out of Far Eastern University who started only because of the absence of Jonas Villanueva, came through with 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and extension period as he helped engineer the Mixers’ huge comeback from an 11-point second-half deficit.
“Talk about being put on the wringer, we’re put in the wringer just with the idea of facing Petron in the quarterfinals. We just want it one and done. We don’t want to give them momentum. It’s such a crucial performance for us to knock them out,” said a relieved San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone.
The Mixers can finally heave a sigh of relief after exorcising the ghost of their shock exit in this same conference last season, when as top seeds they blew a similar twice-to-beat edge against Powerade in the quarterfinals - only the third No. 1 team to bow out in the first round of the playoffs.
Cone said he was happy to see Barroca play his heart out in the quarterfinal game, hitting the big baskets that allowed the Mixers to claw back successfully from a 46-57 deficit late in the third period.
“They call Mark the Wolverine because he gets knocked out or hit but he still gets up and play. He got hit in Tuesday’s practice but next day, he just got back told me he’ll play. We were shocked,” said Cone.
“He hyperextended his elbow and we thought it might have torn ligament. He was on the ground for 10 or 15 minutes. That was Tuesday. He had a hard time getting up. We thought he’s not gonna play. But he showed up in practice. It was really gruesome if you see that, yet he just started shooting after that,” he added.
Despite struggling in the second half, James Yap managed to lead the Mixers on offense with 23 points, on top of seven rebounds and two steals.
Petron's early exit put to naught a career game by top rookie pick June Mar Fajardo, whocame away with 22 points and 15 rebounds along with three blocks in 35 minutes of play.
Alex Cabagnot added 21 while Lassiter chipped in 16 spiked with four triples before the bad fall in the fourth quarter.
The scores:
San Mig 92 - Yap 23, Pingris 20, Barroca 15, Devance 12, Simon 12, De Ocampo 4, Ramos 3, Reavis 3, Intal 0, Gonzales 0
Petron 87 - Fajardo 22, Cabagnot 21, Lassiter 16, Santos 13, Washington 8, Lutz 4, Faundo 2, Yeo 1, Lanete 0, Miranda 0, Pena 0
Quarterscores: 17-17, 39-39, 61-63, 79-79, 92-87

Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/stand-in-starter-barrocas-clutch-baskets-aid-san-migs-escape-in-ot-thriller-v02

‘Coffee Prince’ sizzles as San Mig Coffee survives Petron in OT to avoid QF upset Rey Joble, InterAKTV

AKTV file/Pranz Kaeno Billones

James Yap and Marc Pingris had excellent games for San Mig Coffee, but it was Mark Barroca who hit the biggest baskets in the Mixers’ pulsating 92-87 overtime victory in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals Thursday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
With the win, the Mixers booked a seat in the tournament’s final four, avoiding the complications of a do-or-die match against the dangerous Boosters.
“Talking about being put through a wringer gives you the idea of facing Petron,” said San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone. “Our idea was to run and gun with these guys. We don’t want a second game with this team. It was a crucial performance for us to knock them out. If we didn’t win tonight, I don’t know how we’re going to win our second game against them.”
San Mig Coffee had reason to be wary. Then known as B-MEG, the team also had twice-to-beat advantage last season against the Powerade Tigers, but were victims of an upset against a team that caught fire at the right time.
This year, the Mixers made sure they advanced.
Barroca scored the final five points of regulation for San Mig Coffee, including a three-pointer that put the Mixers up 79-76 with just 26.3 seconds left. But Arwind Santos hit a tying three-pointer less than 16 seconds later to force the extra period.
San Mig Coffee was up by a slim 87-85 margin late in overtime when Barroca hit a floater and two free throws to put the game away for the Mixers. The second-year guard, who finished with 15 points, also took a key charge during that stretch.
Yap had 23 points and seven rebounds while Pingris added 20 and 11 to lead San Mig Coffee, which trailed by as much as 10 points in the third quarter.
The loss spoiled the performance of top overall pick June Mar Fajardo, who had the best game of his career with 22 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks.
The scores:
SAN MIG COFFEE 92 – Yap 23, Pingris 20, Barroca 15, Devance 12, Simon 12, De Ocampo 4, Ramos 3, Reavis 3, Intal 0, Gonzales 0.
PETRON 87 – Fajardo 22, Cabagnot 21, Lassiter 16, Santos 13, Washington 8, Lutz 4, Faundo 2, Yeo 1, Lanete 0, Miranda 0, Pena 0.
Quarters: 17-17, 39-39, 61-63, 79-79, 92-87

source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/coffee-prince-sizzles-as-san-mig-coffee-survives-petron-in-ot-to-avoid-qf-upset

PBA PHILIPPINE CUP QUARTERFINALS PREVIEW By JC Ansis

WHICH TEAMS WILL ADVANCE TO THE NEXT ROUND?

The PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals is set to commence on Wednesday, December 12. After an exciting two months of battle, things will get even rowdier as we enter the playoff stages of the conference.

 

Let’s take a look at the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal matchups.

 

(1) Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters vs. (8) Air21 Express

 

The Talk N’ Text Tropang Texters once again find themselves on top of the standings with a 12-2 card at eliminations end. In the previous year, the Texters won the Philippine Cup championship, and it seems they want to win it again this season. But Coach Norman Black’s troops will have to dispatch Air 21 first to do that. The Express boast of an offense that heavily relies on the services of Nino Canaleta and Mike Cortez. Their bench is weak and will likely have a tough time keeping up with TNT’s reserves. Air 21 is young and inexperienced, factors that I think will pose problems for them in going up against a tested and solid, well-oiled Talk N’ Text squad. If the Express can control the tempo, they might have a chance. But I doubt it.

 

Forecast: Talk N’ Text

 

(2) San Mig Coffee Mixers vs. (7) Petron Blaze Boosters

 

San Mig Coffee and Petron. This series has “upset” written all over it. Though they’re only a seventh seed, the Boosters mustn’t be overlooked. They’ve got a stat monster in Arwind Santos and a very capable point guard in Alex Cabagnot. Plus, Chris Lutz and Marcio Lassiter’s athleticism and pesky style of play can dent the Mixers’ defense. So yes, this team is loaded. Petron can space the floor well and their guards are good at running the fastbreak – even their big men can get up and down the court. The Boosters have more depth than the Mixers with the likes of Lutz, Jay Washington and Dennis Miranda providing offense off the bench. Aside from James Yap and Peter Jun Simon, I don’t think anyone else from San Mig Coffee is capable of exploding.

 

Forecast: Petron

 

(3) Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs. (6) Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings

 

Just like the Mixers-Boosters matchup, this will be a crowd-pleasing, pants-wetting series. In their last recent duel, Barangay Ginebra rallied back from an 18-point deficit to beat the Elasto Painters, much to the delight of the crowd. In order for Rain or Shine to advance to the semis, they will need to take advantage of their physicality - their frontline should bully Ginebra in the post. And they’ll need to win the rebounding battle since they were outdone on the boards in both losses to BGSM. Chris Tiu and Paul Lee will definitely provide Rain or Shine more firepower so Ginebra’s backcourt of LA Tenorio and JayJay Helterbrand will need to stay on their toes on defense as well. The x-factor in this series is Jeff Chan. If Chan clicks on all cylinders, Ginebra could bow out early in the playoffs.

 

Forecast: Rain or Shine, 2-1

 

(4) Meralco Bolts vs. (5) Alaska Aces

 

Based on their two Philippine Cup meetings, Meralco and Alaska look evenly matched. Sol Mercado, Mark Cardona, and Cliff Hodge vs. JVee Casio, Cyrus Baguio, and Calvin Abueva. The backcourt production of both squads will most likely cancel each other out. One thing that should be looked at is the battle in the post. Whichever team’s frontline can perform better will have the advantage in this series. Mercado has been playing lights out this conference and it would be fitting for him to lead the Bolts to a semifinals berth, but I think fans would rather see Abueva in the next round.

 

Forecast: Alaska, 2-1

Source: http://www.solarsportsdesk.ph/bk/bkfeatures/2012/12/10/pba-philippine-cup-quarterfinals-preview

As PBA Philippine Cup enters its playoffs, here are 16 scenarios that may happen By Fidel R. Mangonon III

ONLY four games remain in the elimination round of the 2012-13 PBA Philippine Cup.
Barako Bull takes on Rain or Shine while San Mig Coffee battles Globalport on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena while Meralco goes up against the Mixers and two-time defending champion Talk ‘N Text ends the elims with its rematch against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Sunday in the same venue.
Seven teams – Talk ‘N Text, San Mig Coffee, Rain or Shine, Alaska, Meralco, Barangay Ginebra and Petron Blaze – are already assured of places in the quarterfinals and only one slot remains unfilled, left to be fought for by Air21 and Barako Bull.
Globalport is already out of the playoffs and is simply looking to end the conference on a winning note.
If the Energy Cola beat the Elasto Painters Friday, Barako Bull and Air21 will figure in a playoff on Monday at the Cuneta Astrodome for the eighth and last quarterfinal berth opposite the Tropang Texters. Otherwise, the Express will advance automatically to the quarterfinals and the Energy Cola join the Batang Pier in an early Christmas vacation and early preparation for the Commissioner’s Cup.
Aside from that, here are the other pertinent things you should know:
1. Win or loss against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday, Talk ‘N Text will finish the elims on top and with the No. 1 seeding in the playoffs. Even if it loses and San Mig Coffee manages to tie the Tropang Texters at 11-3, TNT will still be No. 1 as it beat the Mixers twice in the elims.
2. The Tropang Texters are going to have the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals against either Barako Bull or Air21.
3. San Mig Coffee will automatically be No. 2 and with the other twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals if it wins any of its last two games. If this happens, the Mixers will square off with No. 7 Petron Blaze in the quarterfinals.
4. If San Mig Coffee loses its last two games in the elims against the Batang Pier and the Bolts and Rain or Shine beats Barako Bull, the Mixers and the Elasto Painters will figure in a playoff for the No. 2 ranking, also on Monday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
5. The quarterfinal pairings are  No. 1 vs. No. 8 and No. 2 vs. No. 7 with Nos. 1 & 2 having the twice-to-beat advantage; No. 3 vs. No. 6 and No. 4 vs. No. 5 are best-of-three affairs.
6. A win by San Mig Coffee and Rain or Shine on Friday will complete the quarterfinal cast – meaning no more playoff games – and these pairings:
a. No. 1 Talk ‘N Text vs. No. 8 Air21, TNT with twice-to-beat advantage
b. No. 2 San Mig Coffee vs. No. 7 Petron Blaze, Mixers with twice-to-beat advantage
c. Best-of-3: No. 3 Rain or Shine vs. either Barangay Ginebra or Meralco
d. Other best-of-3: Alaska vs. either Meralco or Barangay Ginebra
Here the last 16 scenarios with the resulting rankings and corresponding point-differentials and PBA quotients in case of ties:

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/by-the-numbers/as-pba-philippine-cup-enters-its-playoffs-here-are-16-scenarios-that-may-happen#.UMGDmJ18bPo.twitter

San Mig not taking any chances against minnows By Richard Dy

“We just gotta worry about Globalport because they’re gonna play relaxed. We gotta go out and prepare for that game," says San Mig coach Tim Cone ahead of Friday's match. Jerome Ascano

SAN MIG Coffee has two chances to seal its place in the top two and gain a valuable advantage in the semifinals — against cellar-dwelling Globalport in its penultimate elimination-round match and versus midtable Meralco at the end of its schedule.
The earlier the Mixers can get it done, the better.
A win over the also-ran Batang Pier on Friday at the MOA Arena will give the Mixers the No. 2 spot, a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals, and a chance to take it easy on the final elimination match in preparation for the playoffs of the Philippine Cup.
The Mixers take on the Batang Pier at 7:30 p.m. and coach Tim Cone has made clear the team has no intention of dilly-dallying as it tries to clinch the second twice-to-beat incentive after Talk ’N Text secured the first one last week via a 95-82 win over Petron.
The Mixers currently tote a 9-3 record, while the Tropang Texters are at 11-2.
Cone’s charges scored a 93-92 decision over third-running Rain or Shine last week, seriously denting the Elasto Painters’ bid for No. 2 spot and the twice-to-beat incentive. The only chance now for Rain or Shine to steal No. 2 is if it wins its last elimination match and San Mig drops its last two, resulting in a tied record and a playoff game.
Against the Batang Pier in their first encounter, the Mixers went through anxious moments before scoring an 82-78 win.
“We just gotta worry about Globalport because they’re gonna play relaxed. We gotta go out and prepare for that game.  We gotta clinch our spot on Friday,” said Cone, who's got an armada of gunners to lean on in their game against the Batang Pier.
James Yap will no doubt be at the forefront of San Mig Coffee’s offense, though additional scoring support is also expected from steady shooter Peter June Simon, Joe Devance and big men Yancy de Ocampo and Marc Pingris.
The Batang Pier, who officially bowed out of the playoffs following their 101-95 loss to the Alaska Aces in Dipolog City, are playing their final game in the Philippine Cup.
Globalport has lost its last nine games, including a lopsided 92-113 decision against Air21 on Wednesday night that saw Express forward KG Canaleta erupt for a career-high 41 points on six-of-nine shooting from beyond the arc.
The Batang Pier own a woeful 1-12 record, their lone win this conference scored at the expense of the Bolts, 105-104, on October 17 also at the MOA Arena.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @richava

SOURCE: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/san-mig-not-taking-any-chances-against-globalport

Yeng earns his spurs as Cone praises Painters' 'San Antonioesque' play By Reuben Terrado

Yeng Guiao's Rain or Shine side plays with the same consistency and toughness as the San Antonio Spurs, says San Mig coach Tim Cone. Jerome Ascano

SAN Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone may have won the latest round of his long-running rivalry with Rain or Shine's Yeng Guiao, but he only has respect and admiration for the enemy.
Moments after San Mig survived a torrid Rain or Shine comeback to pull off a 93-92 victory at the Big Dome, Cone reserved his biggest praise for their opponents, going as far as comparing the Elasto Painters to the San Antonio Spurs and their coach to Greg Popovich.
The way Guiao has turned Rain or Shine into a tough, fighting unit that plays consistently from the first minute to the last, regardless of which team it was facing, reminds him of the very same qualities that have made Popovich's Spurs perennial title contenders in the NBA, Cone said.
“Kinda reminds me of Popovich,” said Cone of Guiao after the hard-earned win. “They play the same offense and defense. They just keep coming back.”
What makes the Elasto Painters tough to beat is that they play with the same intensity from beginning to end, Cone said.
“His (Yeng Guiao) teams play the same way all the time. They don’t change. They play the same tempo, they play the same defense and offense from the first minute to the 48^th minute. It doesn’t matter what the score is,” Cone said.
The multi-titled coach said that it is that consistency that makes Rain or Shine a strong team even though the ballclub doesn't have a superstar in its lineup.
“They stay consistent while the other teams, they tend to change their play depending on the score. Some teams play a little faster on taking shots, but this team stays consistent and that’s what makes them tough in my opinion,” Cone said.
“I always say that with San Antonio,” he added.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @reubensports

source: http://www.spin.ph/sports/basketball/news/yeng-earns-his-spurs-as-cone-praises-painters-san-antonioesque-play