By Rey Joble

THERE must be a divine reason why Air21 and San Miguel Beer will dispute the last berth for the quarterfinal round of the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.

Why everything in the league is business as usual, the do-or-die encounter between the Express and the Beermen has somewhat turned out to become personal.

Personal, especially for the Express, who have an ax to grind against the Beermen.

While year 2008 has ended, the stigma of that painful setback at the hands of the Beermen remains fresh on the memory of the Express. And their no-tomorrow encounter on Sunday may serve as a fitting vindication or just a valuable learning experience for an Air21 team that has done some retooling of its roster.

“We tried to shake up our lineup a bit and signs are very encouraging, especially after our big win over Purefoods,” said Air21 mentor Bo Perasol. “We have Don [Allado] and Cyrus [Baguio] contented and happy playing their new roles and our old reliables coming along together as a solid unit.”

Another good news for Air21 is the fact that Celino Cruz, another new player taken in by the Express in a busy shopping of players last December, will be joining the squad tomorrow.

The Express lost an emotionally draining 129-130 double overtime game to the Beermen, a match that was put under protest by team manager Lito Alvarez. The protest was junked twice—by PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios and the board—but Air21 is still licking its wound even up to this time.

Gone from the Express quintet is Ranidel de Ocampo, who could have been a hero for his squad. His 3-point jumper that was counted as 2-pointer in the dying seconds of their first encounter against the Beermen is now a mere footnote in history.

For the Beermen, this game is a chance to salvage whatever pride is left of themselves.

The SMB team, teeming with talent on all fronts, remains an underachiever this conference. This game will give the Beermen a chance to save face and possibly turn their critics to believers.

“The year may have just ended, but the season is not yet over for us. We’ve got unsettled business to take care of,” said San Miguel Beer coach Siot Tanquingcen. “Honestly, we’re put on a difficult position as we’re facing a team which we’re trying to avoid. But we can’t do anything but face them and give out our best.”

To carry the fight for the Express are Arwind Santos, Gary David, Wynne Arboleda, Allado and Baguio, while the Beermen will be banking on Lordy Tugade, Dondon Hontiveros, comebacking Danny Seigle, Dorian Peña and Olsen Racela of the Beermen.