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MANILA, Philippines – Is a San Mig dynasty in the making?
The lights dimmed at the Ronac Gym but it did not signal the end. It was the start of the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers’ new journey, just four days separated from winning the 2014 PBA Commissioner’s Cup title: defending the Governors’ Cup crown and emerging as the first grand slam winners in the big league in 18 years.
Handled by Tim Cone – who stands alone as the all-time championships leader in PBA history – the Mixers broke sweat in a practice session on Monday, May 19 at the Ronac Gym along Ortigas, all armed with focus and with the mission of adding more glory to their already storied PBA careers.
As the defending PBA Governors’ Cup titlists, there is added pressure for Cone and the rest of the Mixers as they shoot for their fourth straight PBA title over the past two seasons.
“These guys love winning,” he said after a light, two-hour training session.
No wear and tear
For a team that had limited rest for three straight conferences now, Cone says his Mixers must not stop, no matter how exhausted they are physically and emotionally.
There should be no reasons not to play hard.
“We don’t want to use the past three conferences as excuses to not bring it this conference,” Cone, who copped his 17th PBA title as head coach, told Rappler.
“They will push through this one and give their absolute best.”
Just ask Marc Pingris and James Yap.
Pingris, the reigning Governors’ Cup Finals MVP and a Gilas Pilipinas forward, who kept pushing himself to the hilt even with a hamstring tear under Gilas last year and a rib injury in the Commissioner’s Cup.
“Yung sakit, mararamdaman mo na lang after ng game eh. Pero habang naglalaro ka iisipin mo na lang manalo,” said Pingris, who played a key role in helping the Philippines enter the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
(You will only feel hurt after the game. But while playing, you only think of winning the game)
Yap meanwhile, also had back pains and an elbow injury over the past year, but kept playing his heart out.
“Hindi ko na iniisip kung gaano ka-healthy ako. Basta maglalaro ako hangga’t kaya ko,” added the two-time PBA MVP. (RELATED: James Yap is back on top where he belongs)
(I don’t mind how healthy I am or not. I will play as long as I can)
Maliksi, Blakely back in harness
Helping San Mig complete a historic feat last done by Cone under the Alaska Milkmen in 1996 are familiar faces who are back in the mix: third year wing man Allein Maliksi and reigning Governors’ Cup Best Import Marqus Blakely.
Blakely will be back in his third tour of duty for the Mixers, whom he led to back to back Governors’ Cup finals appearances. He averaged 24 PPG, 15.2 RPG, 4.5 APG, 2.1 SPG, and 2.2 BPG in 22 outings, proving the monicker “Mr. Everything” was given to him for a reason.
He led the Mixers in all basic stats categories; a third straight trip to the Promised Land won’t be any easy, he says, but he will exert all the energy he is known for every minute he plays on the hardcourt.
“It is not about competing against the other imports but a matter of helping the team win each game,” said Blakely who is unfazed even if there is an impressive line-up of imports for the season-ending conference.
Also, Maliksi, who suffered an ACL injury in last year’s Governors’ Cup, is back running and leaping with ease in training.
With his return, San Mig’s franchise guys James Yap and PJ Simon will get much-needed minutes on the bench for rest.
“Excited na ako. I am 90 percent na siguro. Nag-a-adjust pa sa scrimmages dahil first time ko pero madali na ‘yun e,” said the former UST Growling Tiger.
(I am excited. I think I am 90 percent ready. I am still adjusting since it was my first time to train but it would be an easy task)
Staying hungry
The Mixers will try to strike the iron while it is hot. They have 12 franchise titles, four under the leadership of Cone in just three seasons.
Adding motivation to the goal of coveting a rare Grand Slam is the challenge to keep the ‘best team’ label for good.
“Just facing Talk ‘N Text is gives them motivation. They want to be the best team out there,” added Cone after their Commisioner’s Cup triumph.
They will likely face adversity again, but the seasoned and tested group definitely knows how to handle tremendous amounts of pressure.
They will be wins away from cementing their legacy as one of the best franchises in PBA history, and the marathon begins on Wednesday, May 21. – Rappler.com
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