They stumbled out of the starting gate after absorbing four successive losses. Winning four straight to end the conference will complete a major turnaround for the San Mig Coffee Mixers.
The Coffee Mixers take their first of three cracks at the crown when they face the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Sunday in Game 5 of the 29th PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven finals at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Coffee Mixers took a commanding 3-1 series lead after posting a pulsating 93-90 win in last Friday’s Game 4. San Mig has won the last three games of the series after dropping a close 80-83 decision in Game 1.
San Mig easily won Game 2, 80-70, then escaped with a tight 77-76 triumph in Game 3.
Looking to win his 16th crown—the most by a coach in the league history, San Mig head coach Tim Cone warned his wards not to count the Elasto Painters out just yet.
“We have to keep working and keep pushing, especially against this Rain or Shine team,” said Cone, whose team is eyeing a second straight crown after winning last season’s Governors’ Cup.
For Rain or Shine, it ain’t over till its over.
“We’re not giving this series up till it’s over,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said. “We’ll try to get back into this series.”
San Mig won Game 4 despite playing without Marc Pingris in the endgame.
The workhorse forward left the game in the period after he was accidentally poked in the right eye by JR Quiñahan while they were battling for a rebound. Despite the injury, Pingris is still expected to suit up today .
“It’s just an abrasion over the right cornea,” said San Mig team doctor Raffy Sanchez.
“He was just given anesthetics and antibiotics which were dropped into the eye. In 24 hours, he’ll be okay. He’ll feel better tomorrow (today),” Sanchez added. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA
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