Monday, October 11, 2010

Beermen cruise past Air 21

San Miguel's veteran line-up proved no match against Air21's rookie-laden roster.

With Dondon Hontiveros and Arwind Santos combining for 43 points, the Beermen cruised past Rabeh Al-Hussaini and the Express, 100-86, for a rousing debut in the PBA Philippine Cup Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Hontiveros exploded for 24 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the floor, while Santos added 19 in a fiery display of firepower for a San Miguel team that dominated the game from start to finish.

"We just used our experience against them," said Hontiveros, 32. "Alam namin may mga rookie players sila, so we just took advantage of our strength against them which is experience."

Al-Hussaini, the former RP-Smart Gilas team member selected No. 2 overall in the Rookie Draft, accounted for 16 points in his debut game in Asia's first ever play-for-pay league, but not good enough to give Air21 the win.

Fellow rookie Rey Guevarra, the third overall pick behind Al-Hussaini, finished with only a point, while the top rookie pick, Nonoy Baclao, didn't play as he showed up in street clothes after hyper-extending his knee in a tune-up game against Alaska.