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Alaska blows out undermanned San Mig Super Coffee

Alaska’s Aces appeared ready to conquer the tougher challenge ahead. The same, however, could not be said of the injury-plagued Mixers of San Mig Super Coffee.

Unforgiving on defense throughout, the defending champions compounded the woes of the depleted Mixers with a dominant 85-66 victory Sunday afternoon to close out their PBA Commissioners Cup eliminations campaign on a strong note at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Fresh from a one-week respite, the Aces showed no signs of slowing down and even showed no mercy on a short-handed Mixers crew which sorely missed the presence of import James Mays (back), former two-time league MVP James Yap (Back), ace forward Marc Pingris (left rib cage) and key reserve Justin Melton (right middle finger) who are both nursing their respective injuries.

The win was the fifth straight and sixth overall against three defeats for the surging Aces, who moved up to solo third and are now waiting for their rival in a best-of-three quarterfinals series that starts tomorrow.
The Mixers, meanwhile, suffered their third consecutive setback and fifth overall against four wins.

Both Alaska and San Mig Super Coffee are keeping an eye on the outcome of the Rain or Shine-Ginebra battle which is being played as of posting time.

A win by the Elasto Painters (4-4) would drop the Mixers to sixth spot and pave the way for their quarterfinals match-up with the Aces.

Meanwhile, a Gin Kings (3-5) victory would jack up the Mixers to fifth spot and create a race-to-two showdown with the fourth-ranked Meralco Bolts (5-4). Ginebra then takes on Alaska.

Ranged against a crippled San Mig Super Coffee side, Alaska coach Luigi Trillo utilized all of his players who all made ample contributions especially on the defensive end.

Although no player reached double figures, with import Rob Dozier, reserves Raffy Reyes and Vic Manuel leading with eight points each, the Aces held the Mixers to their lowest output this conference and also resulted to former head coach Tim Cone’s worst elimination record in his decorated coaching career.

The Aces started to take control late in the first canto and asserted their full dominance in the second where they led by as many as 12 points, the first at 37-25 off Gabby Espinas’ reverse lay-up.

Then the likes of starters JVee Casio and Sonny Thoss, enabling Alaska to hike its lead to as high as 57-36 midway in the third canto.

The closest San Mig Coffee could get was at 17 before Alaska’s shocktroopers restored order and built a commanding 75-52 cushion, putting he result beyond doubt going to the final seven minutes of play.
 
The Main Men: Alaska collectively got the job done on both ends, turning the game into a virtual scrimmage heading to the playoffs.
 
Game Turning Point: The Aces sustained their dominance with a back-breaking 13-2 start in the third canto, stretching a 44-34 halftime lead into a big 57-36 cushion.  
 
He Said It:
Alaska coach Luigi Trillo: “It’s all about rest form them (Mixers). For us, it’s about rhythm. We just shorten minutes of our starters. They are different kind of team when James Yap, Marc Pingris and James Mays are there. We want to continue our rhythm. For sure they (Mixers) will be twice as hard tomorrow. Tomorrow’s gonna be be different and our guys will be fresh. It’s just trying your best to get ready.”
 
The scores:

Alaska 85 -- Dozier 8, Reyes 8, Manuel 8, Jazul 7, Buenafe 7, Abueva 7, Espinas 6, Eximiniano 6, Eman 6, Casio 5, Baguio 5, Dela Cruz 4, Thoss 4, Belasco 2, Hontiveros 2.

San Mig Coffee 66 -- De Ocampo 10, Acuna 9, Gaco 9, Cawaling 8, Devance 6, Simon 5, Barroca 4, Mallari 4, Holstein 4, Sangalang 2.

Quarters: 22-14; 44-34; 67-48; 85-66.