Air21 pushes for replay, cites TnT-Ginebra case

Air21 will make another appeal today to the PBA commissioner’s office for a replay of its controversial game against San Miguel last Wednesday, citing as precedent a ruling made by former commissioner Noli Eala on practically the same case in a Talk n Text-Ginebra tiff in 2003.

“We’re still hoping that commissioner Sonny Barrios will reconsider his decision. In fairness to him, he’s not there when the ruling on the Talk n Text-Ginebra controversy was made. He may not be fully apprised of what happened then,” said Air21 governor and team manager Lito Alvarez.

Eala ordered a replay of the game won by Ginebra over Talk n Text in overtime. The contest went to OT after the refs nullified a tip-in by Asi Taulava which beat the shot clock buzzer with eight seconds left in regulation period.

Barrios denied on Monday Air21’s initial appeal saying, the referees did commit a mistake but “it did not decide the outcome of the game.”

The Express thought otherwise and insisted the least they deserve is a replay of the contest.

“This is crucial for us. One game in this tournament means a lot. It may cost us in gate receipt and exposure,” said Alvarez who’s also thinking on elevating the case to the league board.

“I have talked to the chairman (Joaqui Trillo). He said it’s game-related so it falls on the jurisdiction of the commissioner. That’s something I have to verify,” Alvarez also said.

San Miguel kept a 6-2 win-loss record on Barrios’ decision upholding the Beermen’s 130-129 victory in double overtime over the Express.

The Beermen return to action versus the Coca-Cola Tigers today at the Astrodome, looking to close out their stint in the first round of elimination play tied with the Alaska Milk Aces at 7-2.

Ginebra and Talk n Text clash in the 7:30 p.m. mainer.

The Tigers, the Kings and the Phone Pals are all out to notch a fourth win against five losses.

Coca-Cola interim coach Kenneth Duremdes has reactivated Ronjay Enrile in lieu of MC Caceres.