Once again, Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao stole the show, leading a walkout early in the second period and then getting sent off the floor before the end of the game. Because of these, it stands to reason that coach Yeng and the Painters will probably be meted hefty fines, which isn’t at all surprising given their recent history. Some might even argue that the Painters still had a shot at stealing the match in the endgame had Guiao actually remained in the game and kept his cool. Oh well, at least he didn’t prance and dance on the sidelines like Jim Boeheim. Or, then again, maybe he should have.
Is Barroca the best now?: Given how he has been, until recently, the Mixers’ top scorer this conference, and now that he’s been named the Finals MVP, is it safe to say Mark Barroca has reached the top tier and has, in fact, become the league’s top point guard? That’s a little tough, of course, given how we still have guys like Jayson Castro, Sol Mercado, and LA Tenorio to consider, but, man, Barroca has just been on a different level this season. He has been up and down, yes, but, generally speaking, he has delivered in the clutch for the Mixers. In this game, he scored 24 points, shooting 9/16 from the field and 4/5 form the line while also grabbing 3 rebounds, handing out 5 assists, and getting 2 steals. His season averages so far are: 12.9ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.3apg, 2.0spg, and 32.0 EFF. The only PGs with better EFF ratings are Castro and Mercado.
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| Mark Barroca is named the Finals MVP of the 2014 PBA Philippe Cup. |
Game Recap:
SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE over RAIN OR SHINE, 93-87
The San Mig Super Coffee Mixers closed out the gritty Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Game Six, 93-87, to win the PLDT Home DSL Philippine Cup on Wednesday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Third-year guard Mark Barroca scored 24 points, including 10 of the Mixers’ final 12 points, while rookie Ian Sangalang added 15 points to lead San Mig Coffee.
The championship gives San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone a record 16th PBA title, pushing him past the legendary Baby Dalupan in the league’s all-time list.
It also gives the Purefoods franchise its sixth All-Filipino trophy — the most of any team in PBA history. The team also won the league’s most prestigious title in 1991, 1993, 1997, 2006, and 2010.
The star trio of Yap, Simon, and Pingris also won their third Philippine Cup crown, putting them on par with the legendary Purefoods duo of Alvin Patrimonio and Jerry Codinera, who led the team to its first three All-Filipino titles.
It is also the first back-to-back titles in the 26-year history of the franchise after winning last season’s Governors’ Cup.
Near walkout
San Mig Coffee took control early, scoring the first eight points of the game before opening up a 28-15 advantage on a three-pointer from James Yap late in the first period.
The Mixers were still leading, 30-17, when Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao instructed his team to walk off the court after a foul call on Elasto Painters center JR Quinahan.
Sports5 reporter Erika Padilla was told by Guiao that the walkoff was “an expression of the team’s resentment on the calls of the refs.”
The Elasto Painters eventually returned to the court, but the delay barely dampened the play of the Mixers. Behind its energetic second unit, San Mig Coffee pushed the advantage to as much as 17 points several times in the second quarter.
But just when it looked dead in the water, Rain or Shine came alive, scoring the final 11 points of the first half to cut the San Mig Coffee lead to just six points, 49-43.
Tight second half
The Elasto Painters continued to threaten in the third period, coming within a single point, 51-50, on a three-pointer from Jireh Ibanes.
San Mig Coffee pushed back behind superstar Yap, who scored four points in a quick 7-2 run for a 58-52 edge.
But Rain or Shine rattled off a 13-4 blast capped by back-to-back three-pointers from Chris Tiu and Paul Lee for a 65-62 lead with three minutes left in the third quarter.
It was San Mig Coffee’s turn to strike back, with Simon, Barroca, and Sangalang combining for a 17-5 attack to give the Mixers a 79-70 advantage with 6:59 left in the game.
Lee nailed a much-needed three-pointer in the ensuing play for Rain or Shine, cutting the deficit to six points. He followed that up a couple of plays later with a steal on Sangalang and a fastbreak layup.
After a Pingris basket, Lee nailed another three-pointer to cut the San Mig Coffee lead to just three, 81-78, with less than five minutes remaining.
Barroca takes over
Mark Barroca nailed a three-point play with 2:44 left to give San Mig Coffee more cushion, 84-78. After a Belga layup, Barroca replied with a three-pointer over the outstretched arms of Gabe Norwood.
Belga responded with his own three-point play to push Rain or Shine within four, 87-83, with 1:49 left.
Barroca scored on a drive, before Belga nailed a three-pointer as the Elasto Painters came within one possession, 89-86.
Pingris made two free throws in the next play to put the Mixers ahead by five with 1:07 to go.
Lee had two good looks from three-point range in the next possession, but missed both times. Rain or Shine was still able to recover the ball, but Lee turned the ball over while being shadowed by Pingris with 37.6 seconds left.
The Elasto Painters sent Barroca to the line, where the third-year guard split his free throws for a 92-86 advantage with 29.4 seconds left.
Lee drew a foul on Pingris in the next play. He hit the first but missed the second, but Rain or Shine was able to recover possession of the ball.
Guiao, however, grabbed the ball from referee Jimmy Mariano on the inbounds, resulting in his second technical foul and ejection. Barroca nailed the technical free throw to seal the deal for the Mixers.
SMC 93 – Barroca 24, Sangalang 15, Devance 12, Pingris 12, Yap 10, Simon 9, Reavis 5, Mallari 4, Melton 2.
ROS 87 – Lee 23, Belga 21, Cruz 11, Chan 7, Quinahan 6, Rodriguez 6, Arana 5, Tiu 3, Ibanes 3, Norwood 2, Almazan 0, Tang 0.
QS: 30-17, 49-43, 66-67, 93-87
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| Ian Sangalang dropped another huge game for the Mixers. |
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| Marc Pingris is all smiles after capturing another PBA title. |
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| The Painters troop back to the court after their near-walkout in the first half. |
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| The Mixers annex their second PBA title in a row! |
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| Tim Cone is officially the winningest coach in the PBA. This championship puts him ahead of the legendary Baby Dalupan. |
Recap source: Rey Joble/InterAKTV
Image source: Paul Ryan Tan/Sports 5
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