San Mig, Globalport collide as Alaska battles Meralco

Thirteen days after copping a second straight championship, San Mig Coffee starts quest for a rare hat trick as it tangles with GlobalPort in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

The Mixers and the Batang Pier mix it up at 8 p.m. after the 5:45 p.m. faceoff between the defending champions Alaska Milk Aces and the Meralco Bolts.

The Aces go for a follow- up on their 93- 77 drubbing of the Batang Pier Saturday while the Bolts hope to bounce back from a 76-94 blowout by the San Miguel Beermen Friday.

San Mig Coffee makes its much- awaited Commissioner’s Cup debut, looking to jumpstart a bid for a treble.

“We’re ready to fight for this championship,” San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone confidently declared.

“Although our break between conferences was about the same as the last one, we feel better prepared to start the conference this time around,” Cone pointed out.

“And although the guys are a bit worn out, we’ve got our health intact and a high energy import who has joined us,” Cone also said.

Not a single team has won three consecutive championships in the league since San Miguel Beer, under coach Jong Uichico, topped the 2000 Commissioner’s Cup and the succeeding Governors Cup then the 2001 all-Filipino tourney.

The Mixers are on line to match the special feat after winning the last Governors Cup crown against the San Miguel Beermen (then called Petron Blaze Boosters) and the Philippine Cup diadem versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

Cone is hopeful import James Mays would be of big help in their campaign.

The Clemson U product came in with sterling credentials, including an ACC All Tournament Second Team honors.

The 6- foot- 9 center/ forward started his pro career with the Colorado 14ers in the NBA D-League in 2008 then played the next five years in China, Puerto Rico and Turkey.

Returning to the DLeague with a stint with the Maine Red Claws last year, Mays made the Prospects All-Star roster for the 2013 NBA D- League All- Star Game.

He then got an invite to play for the San Antonio Spurs in the 2013 NBA Summer League.

He’s now well familiar with his San Mig Coffee teammates since he’s been in the country since the playoff phase of the recent Philippine Cup.

His initial test will come from veteran PBA import Evan Brock and his Globalport teammates.—