EXPRESS GUNNING FOR MAJOR COUP
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)
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