Beermen whip Express, join Texters in PBA semis

San Miguel took care of business right away and then quelled repeated comebacks by Air21 to prevail, 97-75, in the main game of the PBA Philippine Cup Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. The Beermen became the second team to advance to the best-of-seven semifinals series. They got balanced production from their powerhouse lineup, but it was guards Alex Cabagnot and Paul Artadi who did much of the damage. Cabagnot single-handedly took charge in the third period, and the Beermen broke away to establish their first 20-point lead at 67-47. And when the Express appeared to mount a big fourth-quarter comeback, Artadi came in and presided over a string of 10 unanswered points by the Beermen that quelled Air21’s final rally. The two guards combined for 22 points, with Cabagnot dishing off 10 assists. “Coach Ato (Agustin) just told us not to relax. That the game was not yet over, and we all know the capability of Coach Yeng," said Cabagnot moments after the win that lifted Agustin to his first semifinals stint with the franchise. In the semis, the Beermen will face the winner of the quarterfinal series between sister-team Ginebra. and Alaska. “I want to play Ginebra," said Cabagnot, "But I also want to have a rematch with Alaska." The Beermen had lost to Alaska in the finals of last season’s Fiesta Conference. Jay Washington paced San Miguel with 19 points while Arwind Santos added 16, including a side jumper – off a Cabagnot assist — that established that 20-point lead midway in the third. Dondon Hontiveros finished with 14 points, and had an animated sideline conversation with Guiao with two minutes left in the period. As players of both sides were going to their respective benches during a timeout, Hontiveros walked over to Guiao and confronted the outspoken coach, whom he heard criticizing his defense while instructing his players to drive against him. “Lusutan mo yan, hindi marunong dumepensa yan," said Guiao, alluding to Hontiveros, with whom he has had a history of animosity in the past. Finishing as the No. 7 team after the eliminations, the Express needed to win over the Beermen twice to advance. Although they trailed by double-digit deficits in the first half and later in the third, the Express never gave up. With rookie Rabeh Al-Hussaini at the firing end and Ronjay Buenafe suddenly finding his range, Air21 made a game of it when it closed the gap at 75-64 entering the fourth. But it turned out to be the Express’ final stand. Artadi came in and forced Air21 to commit several turnovers, resulting in that big 10-0 run as the Beermen again took control of the match, 85-67. In all, Air21 had 21 turnovers compared to the 10 of San Miguel. Al-Hussaini led the Express with 20 points and eight rebounds, while Buenafe contributed 16, although he didn’t score his first field goal until his ninth attempt. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV