TUGADE SHINES IN 2 OVERTIME PERIODS AS SMB OUTLASTS AIR21

TUGADE SHINES IN 2 OVERTIME PERIODS AS SMB OUTLASTS AIR21
Beermen squander 19-point lead but still win exciting contest to reclaim solo lead
Wednesday, 05 November 2008
Lordy Tugade made four free throws in the second overtime as the San Miguel Beermen subdued the Air Express, 130-129, at the Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night after nearly losing control of the game in the fourth quarter.
Dondon Hontiveros scatterd 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting, Dorian Pena had 22 and 11 rebounds and Jay Washington added 19 and 13 boards for the Beermen who won five of their last six games and improved to a 6-2 (win-loss) record that propelled them back to the solo lead in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup eliminations.

"I'm glad the players managed to hung in there, but we need to learn from our mistakes. We can't take (our mistakes) for granted," said SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen, adding he had mixed emotions on the outcome of the game.

The game appeared to be lopsided by the time SMB erected a 19-point lead with 9:14 left in the regulation but the Beermen melted down offensively, allowing Air 21 to get back in the game and make it an exciting finish.

Their second straight loss and fifth overall in nine games was a bitter pill to swallow for the Express, no thanks to a controversy near the end of the first overtime period.

Ranidel de Ocampo's long heave that sent the game into a second extension appeared to have been a 3-point shot based on television replays. But league rules prevent game officials from rectifying an oversight in the last two minutes of the extra session unless the team concerned challenges it.

A jumper by Wynne Arboleda gave the Air 21 a 127-126 with 2:37 left in the second extra session before Tugade, who tallied with 15 points – 10 in the two extra periods -- including a 5-of-6 shooting from the line, sealed the game.

Bonbon Custodio, selected by SMB with the No. 8 pick in this year’s Draft, improved his career-high production to 17 points, coming up with eight in the second quarter to spark a 21-9 run as the Beermen broke the game wide open, 47-30.

Gary David led all scorers with a second career-best 36 points but fouled out with 35 seconds left in regulation.

Significantly his production went down as the second highest by any player this conference since Purefoods Kerby Raymundo's 37 points in his team's 108-105 victory against Air 21 last Friday. David's 30-point output in the second half was also the most by a local since Asi Taulava tallied 33 while leading Talk ‘N Text to a 131-105 win over Purefoods on May 16, 2004.

Wynne Arboleda scored 23 points and Arwind Santos added 15 markers and 16 boards for the Express.

Air 21 got off to a strong start and led 11-3 before SMB picked up the pace and closed the opening quarter at 26-21. (DBC)
The scores:
San Miguel Beer 130 - Hontiveros 25, Pena 22, Washington 19, Custodio 17, Tugade 15, Racela 15, Gonzales 8, Bono 7, Villanueva 2, Pingris 0, Pennisi 0.
Air21 129 - David 36, Arboleda 23, Santos 15, Se 15, Quinahan 12, Intal 7, Canaleta 7, Cruz 6, De Ocampo 5, Kramer 3, Sta. Maria 0, Billones 0.
Quarterscores: 26-21, 53-38, 84-71, 110-110, 130-129.