Mixers recall former import, hope to end scoreless spell

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning titlist San Mig Coffee hopes to finally get going as it welcomes back champion import Denzel Bowles as the Mixers take on the Bruno Sundov-led Rain or Shine side in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay tonight.

Bowles, fresh from a stint in the Chinese league, is coming in a tough stretch where the Mixers battle the Elasto Painters at 7:30 p.m. tonight, the Talk n Text Tropang Texters on Sunday then the Globalport Batang Pier next Saturday.

“We enjoyed our time with Matt Rogers – he was a great guy who had some bad luck with us – but it’s great to have Denzel back with us,” said coach Tim Cone.

“We have a special chemistry with Denzel that all the players felt right away. We’re hoping that all translate to the floor and we can get our conference started,” Cone added.

Cone has no illusion, though, that things would be easy especially in their next two games against the Philippine Cup finalists. “We have to bring our A game,” he said.

While San Mig Coffee is out to check a two-game losing skid, Rain or Shine is out for a follow-up to its 91-82 whipping of Meralco in Puerto Princesa, Palawan Saturday.

Barako Bull seeks to regain a piece of second place with Petron at 3-1 while Air21 also goes for a second win in three starts as the Energy Cola and the Express slug it out in the day’s other game at 5:15 p.m.

“We can’t afford a flat start. Barako is like a new team in terms of players and new system. They have been playing well especially their guards. Hopefully, we can slow them down,” said Air21 coach Franz Pumaren.

Much of the attention, however, is on the San Mig Coffee-Rain or Shine match featuring the exciting showdown between Bowles and Sundov.

“San Mig is going to be a different team with Bowles. My concern is how to match up with an import with the size and quickness like Bowles, not to mention his familiarity with the local conditions,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. “Bruno has the size but I’m not sure if he can keep up with Bowles’ quickness.”

The 7-foot-3 RoS import and his teammates used a massive endgame tear to smother Meralco, 91-82.

The Bolts were dictating the tempo before the E-Painters hit their stride and went on to spring back from their losing debut against the Alaska Aces.

Despite a poor shooting early on, the Elasto Painters kept firing with Sundov right there to get the rebounds. Sundov churned out huge double-double numbers with 20 points and 19 rebounds.

The Mixers, on the other hand, are off to a scrambling start, losing their first game playing with an all-Filipino lineup versus the Barako Bull Energy then dropping their second match opposite the Petron Blaze Boosters.

Rogers struggled with 7-of-19 field shooting for 20 points in his lone game with the Mixers.

With Bowles completing his tenure in the Chinese league, San Mig Coffee decided to bring him back and not to take chance with the untested Rogers.

“Rogers is okay but Bowles is better. Parang mas gumaling pa si Bowles since he’s more seasoned now,” observed an SMC official.