Mahindra came up with a statement game on Wednesday night to announce that what it is doing in the PBA Governors’ Cup is far from being a fluke.
Ranged against the consensus team-to-beat in the conference, the Enforcers won a virtual slugfest with defending champion San Miguel Beer, 105-103, to hike its unbeaten start to three games and streak to the solo elimination round lead at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
James White scored 34 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and several men stood out for the Enforcers, who lost a double-digit lead in the fourth period and passed a real acid test by recovering and holding on to win.
“Our players showed their fortitude,” Mahindra coach Chris Gavina said. “We are approaching every game with the mindset that everything is a playoff game. It was a great effort from our guys.”
Guard Paolo Taha and second-string forward Chito Jaime scored the final four Mahindra points and the Enforcers escaped with the win after getting a little help from San Miguel import Arizona Reid, who threw up an ill-advised shot with two seconds left.
With the score being what it turned out to be with still more than 30 seconds left, San Miguel forced LA Revilla to throw up a bad pass that was picked up by Alex Cabagnot with a good 15 ticks to go.
Cabagnot rifled a pass to Reid, who ignored calls from coach Leo Austria to sue for time to map out a play that would at least tie the game.
Reid, who led the Beermen to the championship past Alaska here last season, dribbled away the time and instead of going hard to the basket, elected to throw up a three-pointer under heavy pressure from White.
The shot was short as Revilla redeemed himself from that earlier blunder by grabbing the rebound to doom the Beermen to their first loss in three games.
“You’re asking me that question because I missed the shot,” Reid told reporters, who waited outside the San Miguel locker room.
Austria, on the other hand, dismissed the incident as just one of the several encounters he’s had with Reid in the past.
“When we win games, the players are great,” Austria said. “But when we lose, it’s the fault of the coach.”
It was easily the biggest win thus far for the Enforcers, who are enjoying the finest start in their young PBA existence as the win validated how formidable they have become even with the youngest import in the field and an unknown coach in Gavina.
“Their sheer determination and level of consistency of discipline and focus really came through tonight,” said Gavina.
The win also took place when newly-elected Senator Manny Pacquiao, who is still listed as the team’s head coach, made an appearance for the first time since the Philippine Cup.
The eight-division world boxing champion, who is mulling a ring comeback after declaring retirement just a few months back, sat on the bench but allowed Gavina to do his thing all game long.
“The mere presence of Manny inspires the team,” Gavina said. “We want to go to war with Manny every time he’s around.”
Barangay Ginebra got back on track later in the night after bringing down NLEX 85-72, in one of the lowest scoring games of the young tournament.
Import Justin Brownlee scored 24 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, and rookie Scottie Thompson plucked down 12 boards that went with eight points and four assists as the Gin Kings rose to 2-1.
The Road Warriors, who missed the services of the suspended Asi Taulava, lost for the second straight game in a 1-2 record as Ginebra put the cuffs on high-scoring import Henry Walker, who scored just 18 points.

Source: Arab News