San Miguel rode on the strong endgame effort of Danny Seigle as it built enough cushion to turn back
a rallying Air21 Friday night to close in on a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals of the PBA
Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Seigle, an 11-year veteran who is a former many-time All-Star and Finals MVP, unloaded 11 of his
15 points in the fourth quarter, to carry the Beermen to their 10th win in 12 outings or one triumph
closer to booking one of the two twice-to-beat incentive in the quarters.

"I have to give credit to my veterans including Danny Seigle, who came through when really needed
it most," said San Miguel coach Ato Agustin.

It was Agustin's first win over former mentor Yeng Guiao, who was the coach of the former when then
Red Bull won a title nine years ago.

"He (Guiao) is one of my influences because he is my former coach when I was still a player," said
Agustin.

Rookie sensation Rabeh Al-Hussaini led all scorers with a career high 31 points but the Express
just lost steam in the stretch and fell to their seventh setback against four wins.

Al-Hussaini remained bullish in the third canto as he bulldozed his way to nine points in the
quarter crept dangerously close, 72-70, going into the final 12 minutes of the match.

Air21 actually seized a 52-49 lead during that hot stretch but San Miguel, drawing strength from
the veteran Dondon Hontivetos, fought back and regained a shaky but reassuring 72-70 upperhand after
the third period.

Arwind Santos sizzled with 14 points in the second half as the Beermen hung tough enough to survive
a furious second quarter onslaught by the Express and go into the break barely ahead, 49-45.

Jay Washington waxed hot with nine points he poured in all in the opening period to propel San
Miguel to an early 25-15 advantage and on taking the fight out of Air21 and on the verge of breaking
the game wide open.

But Al-Hussaini, the second overall pick in last August's rookie draft, unleashed a 12-point
splurge while Leo Najorda uncorked a 10-point barrage all in the second quarter to power the Express
back into the game as they trailed by only a manageable 45-49 deficit at the half.

The 6-7" Al-Hussaini also towed Air21 in rebounding, pounding his way to eight of his team's 31
boards against just 23 by San Miguel.

Second Game

San Miguel 96- Washington 18, Santos 17, Seigle 15, Yeo 12, Hontiveros 8, Pena 8, Pennisi 5,
Cabagnot 4, Artadi 4, Ildefonso 4, Racela 1, Miranda 0

Air21 89- Al-Hussaini 31, Najorda 16, Buenafe 12, Quinahan 10, Sharma 6, Gonzales 5, Arboleda 5,
Baclao 4, Urbiztondo 0, Arellano 0, Matias 0

Quarterscores: 25-15; 49-45; 72-70; 96-89