Air21 Express seize series opener
SAN MIG Coffee’s Marc Pingris puts up a one-handed shot off Air21 import Wesley Witherspoon in Game 1 of the semifinal series that was still being played at press time last night at Mall of Asia Arena. August dela Cruz
MANILA, Philippines — Franz Pumaren called his Air21 crew the “gatecrashers” of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup’s Final Four.
But that was before the Express played their first semifinal game and made it look like they deserve to be here more than anyone else.
Making it close before breaking away inside the final four minutes, the Express held on to pull out a 103-100 win over fancied San Mig Coffee at Mall of Asia Arena to draw first blood in their very first best-of-five series and continue their giant-killing ways.
Sean Anthony tied his career-high with 29 points, Wesley Witherspoon had 25 and Asi Taulava continued to turn back the hands of time by providing the hustle and leadership that kept the Express unbeaten in the playoffs thus far.
Game 2 is set Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, and the Express will try to move within another win of the first title series for the Shopinas.com franchise.
“This (the feeling) is just temporary,” Pumaren said.
The Express trailed for most of the game, until Aldrech Ramos hit a triple and Joseph Yeo completed a three-point play that turned an 85-87 deficit into a 91-87 lead going into the final 3:35.
Air21 extended this to 98-88 with 1:17 left after two Wesley Witherspoon free throws that came after San Mig coach Tim Cone was ejected because of two technical fouls.
Cone was tossed out for vehemently protesting an obvious non-call on Taulava, who took three giant steps on a driving play before hitting a layup that made it 95-88.
That non-call was the second glaring mistake in these playoffs, with the first coming Monday night when Jimmy Alapag saved possession for Talk ‘N Text even if his entire left foot was already out of bounds.
The scores:
AIR21 103—Anthony 29, Witherspoon 25, Taulava 14, Yeo 11, Ramos 9, Poligrates 7, Cardona 4, Borboran 2, Villanueva 2, Burtscher 0, Camson 0.
SAN MIG COFFEE 100—Mays 27, Barroca 11, Simon 11, Devance 10, Sangalang 10, Melton 8, Pingris 7, Mallari 7, Reavis 6, Yap 3, De Ocampo 0.
Quarters: 23-24, 48-51, 66-74, 103-100
