COACH Tim Cone of San Mig Coffee is expecting top seed Talk 'N Text to put on a strong comeback when they collide today in Game 2 of the best-of-five semifinal series of the 39th Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governor's Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The grandslam-seeking Coffee Mixers, fresh from their 92-88 overtime victory in Game One last Thursday, will go for a commanding 2-0 lead against the Tropang Texters in the lone game at 5 p.m.
Even with the injury of top gunners Peter June Simon, James Yap and Joe Devance, coach Tim Cone remain confident, saying injury is not an excuse and they will continue to play tough to win the semis series and will face the winner between Rain or Shine and Alaska in the best-of-five titular series. Both the Elasto Painters and the Aces were still playing in Game One at presstime.
"I’ve always told our players, injuries are not an excuse. It’s part of the game and you have to play tough despite of it. Other teams have injuries as well and you just have to continue to battle,” said Cone.
“We lost PJ, then James hurt his foot. Joe (Devance) too. The guys we have right now are battling and grinding,” added Cone, who is aiming for the Coffee Mixers’ first Grandslam since joining the league in 1988 and his 17th title as a coach.