WASHINGTON POWERS SMB TO REPEAT WIN OVER AIR21

Beermen end 3-game skid to firm up hold of second

Wednesday, 26 November 2008

Jay Washington did a little of everything in San Miguel Beer's 98-78 repeat victory over the Air21 Express Wednesday night that snapped the Beermen's thee-game slump in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum. Washington registered his sixth double-double in the conference with 21 points and 15 rebounds to show the way for the Beermen, who completely dominated the Express and left no doubt as to who won the game unlike their controversial first meeting. He also had six assists, two steals and a block in 39 minutes. SMB's victory came a few hours after the league's board of governors affirmed in a special meeting that the decision of the PBA commissioner in game related issues is final and unappealable. Air21 elevated its case to the board after commissioner Renauld "Sonny" Barrios denied its protest and upheld SMB's controversial 130-129 double overtime win against the Express last November 5. The rematch between the two teams wasn't even close. SMB led no more than six points after the opening quarter but held the Express to a woeful 15 percent shooting from the field (3-of-20) and to jus nine points in the second quarter, Air21’s fewest points in a quarter this conference. With the Express desperately struggling on both ends, the Beermen went on a 25-9 run that extended their margin to 51-29 at halftime. Air21 never recovered from there. "We couldn't get our rhythm the past few games so coming into this game we didn't think about winning but to just make sure we do the right things," said SMB head coach Siot Tanquingcen, visibly relieved after notching their eighth win in 13 games that firmed up their hold of second spot behind leading Alaska (9-3). Rookie Bonbon Custodio also drew attention, scoring 16 points that went with his nine assists and four steals. The athletic guard out of UE capped his rearkable performance early in the fourth quarter when he stole the ball from Air21 point guard Wynne Arboleda then completed the play by feeding Jonas Villanueva with a behind-the-back pass for a an easy layup that gave SMB an 81-63 lead with 9:30 remaining. Mick Pennisi tallied 12 points and 11 boards and Dorian Pena added 10 for the Beermen, who lost Marc Pingris late in the third after the high leaping forward twisted his right foot while coming down from a rebound. It was SMB's second most-lopsided victory this conference after their 118-89 romp over Barangay Ginebra last Oct. 22. Arwind Santos scored 17 points but made just 7-of-17 shots. JR Quinahan and JC Intal contributed 11 apiece for Air 21, which fell to 6-7 and tied idle Rain or Shine at fourth and fifth spots in the standings. Coming into the game, the Express were the only team that scored at least 92 points in each of its games this conference. But they seemed to lack the motivation in the rematch and never really challenged the Beermen. Air21 was also the No. 1 team on offense in the conference with their 104.5 ppg average, the only team norming more than a hundred points in the tourney. Obviously, it was a tough loss for the Express, who had hoped to get even with SMB and dislodge the Beermen in second spot. (DBC) The scores: San Miguel Beer 98 - Washington 21, Custodio 16, Pennisi 12, Pena 10, Pingris 9, Racela 9, Hontiveros 8, Villanueva 5, Gonzales 4, Bono 2, Calaguio 2, Eman 0. Air21 78 - Santos 17, Quinahan 11, Intal 11, David 10, De Ocampo 9, Arboleda 8, Cruz 6, Canaleta 6, Villanueva 0, Kramer 0, Sta. Maria 0, Billones 0. Quarterscores: 26-20, 51-29, 75-59, 98-78.