San Mig Coffee defensive demon Marc Pingris was the hero of the Mixers’ 90-82 victory Wednesday night over Meralco, after helping hold Bolts import Eric Dawson scoreless in the fourth quarter.
The win gave the defending Commissioner’s Cup champions the final semifinals spot in the tournament.
But the instruction to switch Pingris on Dawson in the fourth period did not come from coach Tim Cone.
“He defied me. It was his idea to guard Eric Dawson,” said Cone after the game.
Pingris asked to defend Dawson for a single play, and stayed on the explosive import after a successful defensive stand.
“He scored three or four times against me, so Ping talked to me that he will guard Dawson just one time,” San Mig Coffee import Denzel Bowles told InterAKTV in an exclusive interview.
The ploy worked.
“May mga bagay kasi si Coach Tim na hindi rin nakikita,” said Pingris. “Gusto ko i-try na bantayan si Dawson kaya yun ang ginawa ko.
“Malaking bagay rin yung nagawa ko na iyon kasi napahinga ko si Denzel. Binasa ko lang naman yung situation.”
Later in the game, Bowles switched back to Dawson, allowing Pingris to finish the match on Meralco top gun Mac Cardona. Pingris was equally effective, helping hold the Meralco guard scoreless in the final period as well after Cardona sizzled for 19 points in the first three quarters.
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