MANILA — For the fifth straight time, coach Tim Cone proved his mastery over his former team as the San Mig Coffee Mixers prevailed over the Alaska Aces, 77-68, in a PBA Philippine Cup road game in Lapu-Lapu City Saturday. Since Cone left Alaska in September 2011 and joined the San Miguel Purefoods company after 22 years of coaching the team, the Aces have yet to win a game against their former coach. Joe Devance led the Mixers with 18 points including clutch baskets in the fourth quarter that repulsed a last-ditch rally by the Aces. Devance also had seven rebounds and two assists. The former Alaska forward combined with Mark Barroca and James Yap in the third quarter as the Mixers exploded for 25 points in the third quarter after a slow start to grab the lead from the Aces, never to look back. Barroca finished with 15 points while Yap had 11. PJ Simon also chipped in 15 markers. The Aces were in control for the first two quarters until the Mixers began tightening up their defense en route to their sixth win in eight games. San Mig Coffee advanced to joint second and third place in the standings together with Rain or Shine. Alaska suffered a second straight setback and slid to solo fourth place.
