IMPORT Robert Dozier totally outclassed Denzel Bowles as Alaska Milk put an end to its nine-game losing streak against former coach Tim Cone and San Mig Coffee in emphatic fashion, posting an 86-67 victory on Monday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The 6-9 Dozier had his first 20-20 performance for the playoffs, finishing with 28 points and 27 rebounds as he got his revenge against reigning Best Import Bowles, whose three consecutive baskets in the endgame had led San Mig to an 81-79 win in Game One.
Dozier shot 13-of-16 from the field in a dominant performance.
By levelling the best-of-five semifinal series to 1-1, San Mig also rewarded coach Luigi Trillo his first win over longtime mentor Cone.
“Finally a breakout win for us,” said Trillo afterwards. "For us, it's getting over the hump. Monkey's off our back."
“In our past two games against them, you just feel that both teams were playing at a great level. That’s what the playoffs is about,” he added.
Bowles was held to a PBA career-low eight points on just 4-of-12 shooting. Sonny Thoss defended the San Mig import on single coverage for most of the game, although Dozier roamed the paint to provide help defense from time to time.
At the end of the game, Trillo said he still has high respect for Cone at the end of a highly physical game that saw tempers nearly boil over when San Mig reserve Leo Najorda committed a flagrant foul on Alaska rookie Calvin Abueva.
Joe Devance and Peter June Simon led the Mixers with 15 points each, but San Mig Coffee had a miserable night from the field, making just 26 of its 76 attempts overall for 34.2 percent.
The scores:
Alaska 86 - Dozier 28, Casio 16, Thoss 10, Abueva 8, Baguio 8, Hontiveros 5, Espinas 4, Jazul 2, Laure 2, Dela Cruz 2, Bugia 1, Ramos 0, Reyes 0, Eman 0, Belasco 0.
San Mig 67 - Devance 15, Simon 15, Bowles 8, Yap 5, Barroca 4, Alvarez 3, Mallari 3, Pingris 3, Reavis 3, Ponferrada 2, Gaco 2, Najorda 2, De Ocampo 2, Pacana 0, Gonzales 0.
Quarterscores: 24-14, 43-28, 63-44, 86-67
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