Jay R. Gotera Saudi Gazette MANILA — Breaking out of a slump, Mark Barroca banged in 25 points, 15 of them in the second half, to power the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers to a morale-boosting 97-89 victory over the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings on Sunday night in Game 3 of their PLDT Home DSL Philippine Cup semifinal series at the Mall of Asia Arena. The cat-quick guard added eight rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block to help the Mixers bounce back from a 29-point Game 2 massacre as they grabbed a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven series. Game 4 is set on Wednesday. Averaging just six points in the first two games of the series, Barroca suddenly found himself blazing hot right from the get-go. Barroca sparked a 12-5 run midway in the fourth quarter as the Mixers raced to an 83-73 lead. The Kings fought back, scoring seven straight points to come to within three, 83-80, with 4:29 left. But the Mixers sizzled once again, launching a 10-2 run punctuated by a three-point bomb from Barroca to virtually wrap up the contest, 93-82, with 1:55 left. PJ Simon was just as explosive, finishing with 19 points. Marc Pingris posted a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds, while James Yap finished with 13 points and nine rebounds. San Mig head coach Tim Cone once again unleashed his “secret weapon” Justin Melton in the second half, and the dynamic guard responded with six points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals with no turnovers in just 16 minutes of action. Employing his high leaping ability and quickness to the hilt, Melton anchored fast break plays that enabled the Mixers to pull away in the homestretch. As a result, San Mig had 19 fast break points compared to just two of Ginebra. Ginebra's loss put to naught the career-high 29 points scored by sensational rookie Greg Slaughter who also had 13 rebounds and a block. However, the 6'11” center managed just four points in the final quarter as fatigue took its toll after playing for 41 minutes. In Game 2 played two nights earlier which Ginebra won, Slaughter also produced explosive numbers of 21 points and 13 rebounds. Mark Caguioa fired 21 points on top of eight rebounds and five assists while backcourt partner LA Tenorio added 14 points. Japeth Aguilar was held to a mediocre 3-of-11 shooting by the pesky defense put up by Pingris. The 6'9” Ginebra power forward finished with a quiet 12 points and 14 rebounds. Mac Baracael added seven points before he was ejected early in the third period for picking up a second technical foul. Game Monday: Petron Blaze vs. Rain or Shine (Game 4, semis).
