Warning: Undefined variable $column_strips in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 78
EXPRESS GUNNING FOR MAJOR COUP
Warning: Undefined variable $column_strips in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 153
Warning: Undefined variable $nocontent in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 236
Warning: Undefined variable $iscovid in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 239
Warning: Undefined variable $FEAT_STORIES in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 685
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, bool given in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 688
Warning: Undefined array key 0 in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 730
In the “twice-to-beat” era of the Philippine Basketball Association, just nine teams have suffered the ignominy of bungling a “plus-one-game” advantage in this kind of playoff.
It’s nine out of 72, and the San Miguel Beermen don’t want to fall into that group.
Foiled in its first try, San Miguel takes its second shot at the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Final Four as the second-seeded Beermen tangle with the seventh-ranked Air21 Express in their second match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday.
The Beermen hope to avert disaster while the Express try to complete a major coup in a lone Friday tiff at 8 p.m.
A loss would be catastrophic for the revered SMB franchise that is celebrating the silver anniversary of its grand slam season in 1989.
The reminder came from the Air21 mentor, a member of the distinguished San Miguel squad led by Ramon Fernandez, Samboy Lim and Hector Calma.
“They’re tough to play. I’m sure they will be prepared Friday. I just hope we continue to do what we’re capable of doing,” said Pumaren.
The Express are determined to complete a big reversal to nail a first-ever Final Four appearance under their Shopinas lineage.
But for the record, Air21/Shopinas has yet to win back-to-back games in the last three tourneys and yet to finish above eighth place in its first seven conferences in the league.
The Express surprised the Beermen with a dominant showing, fashioning out a wire-to-wire 92-79 victory to force a rubber match in their Final Eight faceoff.
It’s already an achievement for the three-year-old Bert Lina-owned franchise. The question is whether the Express are capable of breaking further ground.
“We really expect San Miguel Beer to be prepared. Our main intention is to get our points by holding them down,” said Pumaren.
Sean Anthony poured in a personal conference-high 25 points with Wesley Witherspoon and Taulava resting on the bench for quite a while in the final half due to fouls.
Witherspoon and Taulava helped preserve Anthony’s exploits as they checked back strong at crunch time, delivering dagger baskets.
Witherspoon scored 11 of his 18 points in the last 4:35 of play while Taulava drained two key buzzer-beaters helping the Express fend off the Beermen’s endgame chase.
More than holding their own in the paint against their taller foes, the Express started with a 10-1 tear and led by as many as 17 at 41-24 before eventually winning the game – only their fourth in 10 games in the tourney. (SB)
Warning: Undefined array key "TESTPAGE" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 254
Warning: Undefined array key "fb" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 280
Warning: Undefined variable $thinq in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 318
Warning: Undefined variable $var_sports_vlurb in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 328
Warning: Undefined variable $mindanaoQuake2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 442
Warning: Undefined variable $showSolicit_batanes in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 459
Warning: Undefined variable $seagames in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 475
Warning: Undefined variable $tokyoOlympics2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 481
Warning: Undefined variable $help_taal in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 490
Warning: Undefined variable $help_ompong in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 525
Warning: Undefined variable $elections_2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 538
Warning: Undefined variable $typhoon_2018_redirect in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 543
Warning: Undefined variable $ncov2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 555
Warning: Undefined variable $tyhoon2020_marthon in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 578
Warning: Undefined variable $dotnet23 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 585
Warning: Undefined variable $suicide in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 595
Warning: Undefined variable $yearend2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 600
Warning: Undefined array key "inqplus_test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 609
Warning: Undefined array key "newreadnext" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 664
Warning: Undefined array key "test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 802
EDITORS' PICK
Warning: Undefined variable $data_for_HompageFG_obj in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 816
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, null given in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 819
Warning: Undefined variable $MR_data_for_obj in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 850
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, null given in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 850
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
Warning: Undefined variable $bc_tag in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 1239
