by Waylon Galvez
Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
5:15 p.m. – Globalport vs San Mig Coffee
7:30 p.m. – Talk ‘N Text vs Alaska
If weather cooperates today, San Mig Coffee, a team that is expected to do well in the season-ending tournament, hopes to snap a two-game losing streak when it collides with Globalport in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After the opening week of the conference, the Mixers found themselves at the bottom of the standings with a 0-2 card following losses to defending champion Rain or Shine (79-75) and Air21 (93-82) last week.
Since the tournament calls for a single round elimination with only the top eight teams advancing to the playoffs, every win counts for all teams and that’s what San Mig hopes to accomplish when it tackles Globalport at 5:15 p.m.
Clashing at 7:30 p.m. is Talk ’N Text and debuting Alaska, the reigning Commissioner’s Cup champion, with the Tropang Texters eyeing a follow up to their 118-113 overtime victory opposite the Barako Bull Energy Cola last Friday.
James Yap’s poor shooting could best typify San Mig’s offensive struggle.
In the Mixers’ first two games, they shot below 40 percent with Yap, a two-time MVP winner, making only 2 of 24 tries from the field, including 0-of-7 from the 3-point zone.
Yap, however, remains confident of getting back his deadly touch since they can’t afford to drop another game in this short conference.
“Walang ng problema sa likod ko,” said the 6-foot-2 Yap, who missed the final two games of the semifinals against Alaska in the Commissioner’s Cup. “Siguro may halong gigil na lang talaga ’yung sakin. Medyo excited kasi nga healthy na ako uli, kaya madalas minamadali ko ‘yung tira ko.
Despite the foul weather, Yap went to Ronac Gym in San Juan yesterday for a shoot-around.
“Ganun talaga, kailangan ko mag-adjust nang konti. The more kasi na iisipin ko mas lalo ako mahirapan,” added Yap.
The absence of power-forward Marc Pingris also contributed to San Mig’s poor performance. Pingris was given a week-long break by the team management after his heroic stint with Gilas Pilipinas.
A San Mig source said Pingris will suit up but that will depend on the situation.
Globalport, on the other hand, will try to rebound from a 94-74 defeat to Rain or Shine last Saturday. They carry a 1-1 card after winning its opening game against Air21, 101-94, exactly a week ago.
No announcement has yet to come from the PBA office at Libis, Quezon City as of presstime.