AIR21 FORGES SUDDEN-DEATH AGAINST SMB

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Air21 made sure it won’t squander a big lead this time as the Express shocked San Miguel Beer, 92-79, to force a sudden-death game in their quarterfinal series in the 2014 PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup Tuesday at the Smart-Araneta-Coliseum.

Learning from their first encounter just a week ago when the Express squandered an 18-point fourth quarter lead in a 93-85 loss to the Beermen at the end of their campaign in the eliminations, they held the lead this time from start to finish, erasing second seeded San Miguel Beer’s twice-to-beat advantage against them.

“At least, we were able to sustain our run. We had a terrible experience playing them the last time around,” said Air21 head coach Franz Pumaren in the post-game powwow. “It’s a good thing we were able to play smart, keep our composure, and the biggest difference there is that we didn’t run from what we were supposed to do.”

Sean Anthony came alive in the second half as he had 21 of his team-high and personal conference-high 25 points in the last two quarters, and added seven rebounds to lead the Express while Wesley Witherspoon chipped in a double-double of 18 points — 11 in the fourth quarter — and 11 boards.

40-year-old Asi Taulava also chipped in his share, drilling two key baskets in the final three minutes to crush the Beermen’s comeback bids. The league’s current most senior statesman finished with 17 markers and eight rebounds.

“Sean Anthony is just phenomenal. Asi and Spoon made me look good coming off the bench, and they made some crucial baskets late in the game,” Pumaren said after the franchise’s first-ever playoff victory.

Rookie Eliud Poligrates led the Express’ strong start, scoring nine first quarter points as Air21 erected an early 24-9 lead.

The Cebuano point guard ended up with 11 points across his name while Joseph Yeo added 10.

The Express’ lead ballooned to as much as 17, 41-24, courtesy of an and-one play by Witherspoon at the 4:27 mark of the second period.
San Miguel Beer was still able to cut the deficit to six late in the third, but Air21 staved off numerous runs by the Beermen to escape with the 13-point victory, capped off by a dagger three by Witherspoon with 52.6 left in the game.

“It was really an effort in trying to hold down the number one scoring team. It was our point to hold down our opponent. As we all know, they’re very capable of piling up points. Playing the number two team in this conference is tough,” said Pumaren of the Beermen who were averaging a conference-best 100 points prior to the game.

Eyeing a first-ever semifinal appearance in franchise history, Air21 goes for the jugular Friday in the same venue.

“I know this is going to be a short-lived celebration because we play them again on Friday. We’re expecting San Miguel to be prepared by then. I just hope that we will still continue what we are capable of doing,” Pumaren added.

Kevin Jones paced the Beermen with 34 points and 15 rebounds, while Chris Lutz and Arwind Santos combined for 21 markers.

June Mar Fajardo was limited to just five points and 10 rebounds after being saddled with early foul trouble. (RL)

The scores: (Click HERE for FULL boxscores)

AIR21 92 – Anthony 25, Witherspoon 18, Taulava 17, Poligrates 11, Yeo 10, Ramos 5, Borboran 2, Villanueva 2, Cardona 2, Burtscher 0, Camson 0.

SAN MIGUEL BEER 79 – Jones 34, Lutz 11, Santos 10, Ross 9, Fajardo 5, Mercado 5, Maierhofer 2, Lassiter 2, Hubalde 1, Duncil 0, Tubid 0, Kramer 0.

Quarterscores: 29-20, 45-34, 63-54, 92-79.

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