MANILA, Philippines – Michael Dunigan had a monster double-double and the Air21 Express beat the San Mig Coffee Mixers, 87-82, to book their third straight victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Dunigan finished with 25 points and 20 rebounds, at times out-playing reigning Best Import Denzel Bowles (24 points, 12 boards).

It was only the second three-game winning streak in the short franchise history of Air21 (formerly Shopinas.com).

“I’m so elated, beating a team like San Mig Coffee and a coach like coach Tim (Cone),” Air21 coach Franz Pumaren told the league website. “We’re playing tough defense, and for the second straight game, we held a topnotch team below their average.” 

It was also Air21’s first win over San Mig.

“We have to give it to our players. They really played well,” Pumaren said. “They played smart, especially as San Mig made a run.”

Air21’s full court press gave the Coffee Mixers fits in the third period, where they led by as much as 13 points twice by taking advantage of San Mig’s turnovers.

But the Coffee Mixers, behind Bowles and PJ Simon, rallied to get back in the game in the final period.

The Express locals were able to keep San Mig at bay, with KG Canaleta and Wynne Arboleda hitting big shots down the stretch.

Mike Cortez (13 points), Canaleta (11) and Arboleda (10) all finished in double figures for Air21.

Simon had 20 points for San Mig, while former Most Valuable Player James Yap finished with 17 points on 6-of-19 shooting as he struggled with off-court drama again.

Air21 tied San Mig in the league standings with identical 4-5 records.

The scores:

AIR 21 87 – Dunigan 25, Cortez 13, Canaleta 11, Arboleda 10, Isip 7, Omolon 7, Wilson 4, Menor 4, Custodio 4, Baclao 2, Sena 0, Ritualo 0

SAN MIG 82 – Bowles 24, Simon 20, Yap 17, Barroca 10, Reavis 5, De Ocampo 4, Gonzales 2, Mallari 0, Gaco 0, Najorda 0, Pingris 0

Quarter-scoring: 15-18, 35-31, 63-55, 87-82