SMB forces game 3

Dorian Peña scored a buzzer-beating undergoal stab and saved the day of the San Miguel Beermen who nipped Air21 Express, 104-103, in Game 2 of the wildcard phase of the PBA San Mig Coffee Fiesta conference played at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The victory will give the Beermen a chance to face in a rubbermatch in their best-of-three series against the Express with the winner going up against the Talk 'N Txt Phone Pals in the quarterfinal round.

With their backs against the wall, lagging 102-103 the final 28.7 seconds, the Beermen were on the verge of taking an early vacation when Air 21 import Shawn Daniels muffed four straight free throws that would have been more than enough to give his team a ticket to the quarterfinals.

In the return play, Dondon Hontiveros also missed a point blank lay-up from the left wing but Peña trailed him for a rip-in at the buzzer.

Hontiveros, who had a showdown with the Express' Gary David in the fourth period, was named the best player with 19 points along with five rebounds.

David was instrumental in the Express' fourth quarter rally and his eight straight points in that quarter moved his team closer to just four points, 90-86, still 7:15 remaining in the ballgame.

Earlier, the Beermen erected a 20-point lead, 71-51 midway though the third canto but they were plagued by costly errors and were outscored by the Express, 33-22, after the third period and saw their advantage down to three, 80-77.

David then assumed the scoring cudgel for the express scoring 23 of his 25 points in the second half. His scoring support was badly needed as top gunner Renren Ritualo was hobbled with fouls and John Ferriols was not given enough playing time.

Despite in foul trouble, Ritualo still posed a big threat to the Beermen as he hit five triples and one three-point play opportunity for an 18-point.

The best-of-three wildcard series now stands at 1-1 because the Express took Game 1 to the tune of 97-89 and coach Bo Perasol was ejected for two technical fouls during that victory.