SAN Mig Coffee posted its third straight win by outlasting Noosa Shoes 80-73 yesterday and, aided by Hapee Toothpaste, moved into a tie for third in the 2008 PBL Lipovitan Amino Sports Cup at The Arena in San Juan.

For the second straight game, Neil Raneses starred for San Mig Coffee with 20 points and eight rebounds as the Coffee Kings posted their longest winning streak since winning the 2006 Heroes Cup.

The Complete Protectors got back at first-round tormentor Pharex 90-84 and improved to 8-3 while handing the Medics their fifth defeat in 10 outings, the same record of the Coffee Kings.

The 6-foot-4 Raneses, who scored a career-high 29 points in the team’s 86-82 win over Bacchus Energy Drink last Tuesday, came through with big baskets down the stretch to finally take the fight out of the Shoe Stars, who slipped to 4-6.

"We just stuck to our formula, doing the little things on the court," said coach Koy Banal, who likewise credited his assistant coaches–Glenn Capacio, Joel Co and Chito Victolero for helping him motivate the players.

In what could be his best game so far since joining the league three years ago, Eder Saldua chipped in 18 points on 3-of-5 shooting from the 3-point region to give Raneses much-needed support.

Raneses’ heroics likewise the 30-point performance of Noy Javier. The former NCAA star was 11-of-19 from the field, including 4-of-9 from the three-point area, to eclipse his previous best of 22 points registered while playing for Sista last year.

Unlike the first time they met, the Coffee Kings went through some anxious moments before turning the tide in their favor. In that game, the Coffee Kings blasted the Shoe Stars 86-68.

After falling behind 35-50 early in the third period, the Shoe Stars rallied mightily to move within 63-64 with 8:33 remaining.