'Big Game' James hits the go ahead basket as Mixers steal Game 3 from Texters

The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters went home with the individual trophies but the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers took an important 77-75 win in Game 3 of the 2014 PBA Commissioner's Cup finals, Tuesday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

James Yap nailed a difficult baseline jumper with 28 seconds left in Game 3 to give the Mixers a lead 76-75 lead. San Mig Super Coffee’s defense held strong in the dying seconds for a 2-1 advantage for the three-peat chasing team.

With less than two minutes left in the game, it looked like the top two contenders for the Best Player of the Conference award would carry the Tropang Texters to victory. Ranidel De Ocampo nailed a go-ahead triple and Jayson Castro banked in his own three to build a 75-71 for Talk ‘N Text. However, this would turn out to be the last time they scored.

The Mixers called a timeout and went to James Mays who responded with a three-point play to cancel out Castro’s three. Castro then settled for another three in the ensuing possession but he was well defended. It gave the Mixers the chance to take the lead and “Big Game” James took full advantage of it.

The Tropang Texters had two more chances to tie or win the game but one possession ended with a turnover between De Ocampo and Castro. The other was a Castro miss at the buzzer.

Game 4 of the series will be played on Thursday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

Jayson Castro led the game in scoring with 21 points. Ranidel De Ocampo added 18 to their cause. Howell chipped in only 10 points but added 22 rebounds. For the Mixers, Mays had 20 points and 14 rebounds, adding four assists, two steals, and five blocks in an all-around effort.

The San Mig Super Coffee Mixers watched as Talk ‘N Text celebrated at center court with twin individual awards. They took out their frustrations on the court as soon as buzzer sounded. PJ Simon and Joe Devance engineered a 13-2 start for the Mixers for an early lead.

De Ocampo, the closest challenger to Castro’s Best Player of the Conference award, made a huge statement early in the game as he scored Talk ‘N Text’s first seven points. The Mixers got their first double digit lead of the game at the 3:42 mark, 18-7, after a basket from James Yap. Howell replied with a basket on the other hand but Yap added a corner triple to his tally for a 21-9 San Mig Super Coffee advantage.

The Tropang Texters prevented the Mixers’ lead from ballooning as Howell and Harvey Carey scored baskets inside the paint to end the first quarter with a 25-15 tally in favor of San Mig Super Coffee.

At the start of the second quarter, the Mixers went back to their three-guard lineup that worked well in Game 2 but it failed to be effective this time. The Tropang Texters went on an 11-2 run led by the Best Player of the Conference, Jayson Castro.

The Texters tied the ball game at 29-all at the 5:26 mark thanks to a triple from Nino Canaleta but Mays quickly replied with a basket down low to retake the lead for the Mixers.

San Mig Super Coffee took a 37-35 lead at the half.

The Main Men: Big James and Big Game James scored the game’s most important baskets for the Mixers. Their five point run converted a four-point deficit to a one point lead for the Mixers.

Honorable Mentions: Marc Pingris did a good job of defending Castro. After exploding for 30 points in Game 2, the Best Player of the Conference was limited, somewhat, to 21 points, going 3 of 11 from the three-point range. PJ Simon also scored 17 points to give the Mixers their running start.

Game Turning Point: The game was in the balance until the final buzzer but it was Yap’s baseline jumper that tilted the game to their favor. The Tropang Texters defended Yap well forcing him to a corner but Yap took a quick sidestep and launched the picture perfect shot

He Said It:

San Mig Super Coffee head coach Tim Cone: It was a game for the ages in my opinion; just two really proud teams who won’t quit. We have absolute total respect for Talk ‘N Text. It was a tremendous game. One big shot after big shot. Big James got a big three-point play and ‘Big Game’ James hit that baseline jumper. Our defense made a big stop and that was really the key. One of the best games I’ve ever been involved with.

They Said It (on Twitter):

The scores:

SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE 77 - Mays 20, Simon 17, Yap 13, Devance 10, Pingris 7, Sangalang 6, Barroca 2, Mallari 2, De Ocampo 0, Reavis 0, Melton 0.

TALK N' TEXT 75 - Castro 21, De Ocampo 18, Canaleta 12, Howell 10, Williams 5, Carey 5, Reyes Ryan 4, Reyes Rob 0, Aban 0, Fonacier 0, Alapag 0.

Quarters: 25-15, 37-35, 60-56, 77-75