Double whammy: Air21 loses protest, then to SMB in PBA All-Filipino tilt

MANILA, Philippines - The league put a period on the Air21 protest on Wednesday, just hours before the San Miguel Beermen stamped an exclamation point versus the Express in a 98-78 win in the KFC Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum. Jay Washington scored 21 points and plucked 15 rebounds - his fourth double-double game of the tournament - and the Beermen kicked up its offense in the second quarter to leave no doubt about this victory. The first time the two teams met in November 5, it took commissioner Sonny Barrios to decide who the winner was after Air21 lodged a protest seeking to nullify San Miguel's 130-129 double-overtime win. In that game, Air21's Ranidel de Ocampo shot a three-pointer that could have won the game for the Express. But the officials ruled it a two-pointer, extending the game to a second overtime with San Miguel prevailing. Air21 management decided to elevate its protest to the league board which thumbed down the complaint on Wednesday, saying Barrios' decision was "final and unappealable". Playing for the second time since that controversial game, the result was never in question this time. The Beermen engineered a 25-9 run in the second quarter to post a 51-29 score at halftime, a deficit the Express would not recover from. Bonbon Custodio added 16 points, nine assists and four steals, Mick Pennisi had 12 points and 11 rebounds and Dorian Pena chipped in 10 points more for San Miguel (8-5) which remained in solo second place in the overall standings. "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," winning coach Siot Tanquingcen said. Arwind Santos finished with 17 points for Air21 (6-6) to fall in a tie with idle Rain or Shine. - GMANews.TV