Chasing the Leaders (from: http://pba.inquirer.net/35911/chasing-the-leaders)

San Mig Coffee was in the very same spot in the last tourney before getting into the groove and roaring all the way to mountaintop.

Coach Tim Cone says there’s no reason for them not to believe that they can do it all over again.

Nailing a first win in their last game, the Super Coffee Mixers continue their chase of the leaders as they take on the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday.

The E-Painters, meanwhile, eye solo second in the 8 p.m. setto.

At 3-1, Rain or Shine is currently locked in a tie at second with Talk n Text and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel behind unbeaten leader Petron Blaze (4-0).

The E-Painters and the Mixers braced for their battle with contrasting victories Sunday.

Rain or Shine dominated Barako Bull, 91-83, while San Mig Coffee went through two overtime battles to turn back Air21, 92-83.

Cone is hopeful, though, the win could perk them up and provide momentum for a streak.

“We don’t care whether it’s an ugly win or a beautiful win, we just need to come out with a win,” said Cone, relieved they have gotten over the hump.

“We’ll take any win and we’ll try to keep ourselves going,” Cone also said.

The Mixers, however, will continue scratch and claw minus James Yap (tendinitis) and Joe Devance (bruised knee).

With Asi Taulava and Vic Manuel already out on fouls, the Mixers pounced on the Express at the paint in second overtime and eventually pulled through after dropping all their first three games in the tourney.

TY Tang, Jeff Chan, Beau Belga and Jervy Cruz got RoS to a good start, then the rest of the E-Painters provided help coming off the bench as they got back on the winning track Sunday after being stopped by the Barangay Ginebra Kings.

In control almost throughout, coach Yeng Guiao enjoyed the luxury of playing his rookies long minutes.

Raymond Almazan responded with breakout a breakout performance priming him up for his showdown with Ian Sangalang.

Almazan and Sangalang, the No. 3 and No. 2 choices in the last PBA Draft, have had their rivalry from their collegiate days.

And there are a lot other interesting matchups in this contest – a battle between the last two teams to rule the Governors’ Cup. (SB)