By WAYLON GALVEZ
Manila, Philippines – Globalport coach Richie Ticzon believes the lowly record of San Mig Coffee doesn’t do justice to the Mixers’ lofty reputation.
“They are a very talented team,” said Ticzon, whose Batang Pier square off with the Mixers in the main game of a double-header presentation in the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Their record doesn’t reflect on how good of a team they are,” said Ticzon, pointing to San Mig Coffee’s 2-5 win-loss slate.
Globalport, one of the hottest squads in the league right now with a 4-3 ledger, remains wary of the Mixers, who are oozing with talent but struggling with their offense.
Ticzon is awed by San Mig Coffee that a win after their 8 p.m. encounter should go down as an upset.
“We need to defend very well to get an upset,” he added.
Globalport’s main men — Jay Washington and Sol Mercado — and rising rookies Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia and veteran Jondan Salvador will make up Ticzon’s demolition team.
Washington is averaging a double-double as he is second in scoring with a 20.8 clip and fourth in rebounds with 10.3 each game, while Marcedao is 4th in scoring (18.5).
But with San Mig Coffee’s stars slowly easing back to form after sustaining injuries, Ticzon is now convinced the Mixers are getting back to their old fiery form.
In fact, Ticzon points to the numbers put up by Marc Pingris and James Yap in San Mig’s 90-88 win over Barako Bull as reason why he can’t afford to lower his guard.
In the curtain raiser at 5:45, Talk ’N Text battles slumping Barako Bull with head coach Norman Black focusing mainly on controlling their foe’s wingmen, particularly the streak-shooting Ryan Buenafe.