Express clinch 2nd semisfinal berth

JOSEPH Yeo gets a pick from Air21 teammate Asi Taulava off SMB’s Marcio Lassiter last night. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines — Air21 came roaring back from 10 points down in the final two minutes of regulation to nip San Miguel Beer in double overtime, 101-95, in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup do-or-die game and make a Final Four series for the first time in franchise history.

Asi Taulava, willing his 41-year-old legs to do all the hard work, forged the first extension and then had the most telling baskets in the second extra five minutes as the Express bested the second-ranked Beermen two straight times to advance at Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Sean Anthony provided the hustle while import Wesley Witherspoon proved to be a formidable go-to-guy as the Express became just the ninth squad to overturn a twice-to-win disadvantage.

“I am really speechless right now,” Air21 coach Franz Pumaren, who was part of the San Miguel squad that won a Grand Slam, said. “We were able to slay the dragon, and we know that the experts didn’t give us much of a chance. It is really satisfying. My players really wanted to get this win.” Taulava finished with 16 points and nine rebounds for the seventh-ranked Express, who trailed, 71-81, with 2:04 left n the fourth quarter after two straight Chris Ross layups.

The 6-foot-9 Fil-Tongan also teamed up with Anthony in ganging up on Ronald Tubid and forcing a San Miguel turnover. The Air21 offensive allowed Taulava to put back a Witherspoon miss and force the first overtime at 82-all.

Air21 also had the last shot in the second extension, but Mac Cardona missed his trademark running tear drop and make for another extra five minutes at 88-all.

Taulava then scored the first five points for the Express in the second overtime.

Air21 will await the winner of the Alaska-San Mig Coffee KO duel set Saturday also at Big Dome.

Talk ‘N Text booked the first Final Four slot after beating Barangay Ginebra in their own pairing.

The Tropang Texters will clash with the winner of the Rain or Shine-Meralco series, which will also play its rubber match today at 2:45 p.m. The Aces’ match-up with the Mixers is set at 5:15 p.m.

The scores:

AIR21 101—Witherspoon 26, Anthony 18, Taulava 16, Yeo 11, Villanueva 8, Ramos 8, Cardona 8, Poligrates 5, Borboran 1, Burtscher 0, Menor 0.

SAN MIGUEL BEER 95—Jones 23, Fajardo 20, Ross 18, Santos 16, Lassiter 12, Hubalde 2, Lutz 2, Marcado 2, Maierhofer 0, Tubid 0, Lanete 0, Kramer 0.

Quarters: 21-17, 40-43, 56-65, 82-82, 88-88, 101-95

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