YEO TRIPLE DOUBLE LEADS AIR21 BOUNCE-BACK

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For the Air21 Express, this one is really a Christmas Day to remember.

The Express gave themselves a special present in the form of a stirring 109-103 overtime triumph over the GlobalPort Batang Pier, one that provided them relief and hope entering the most crucial stages of the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup elimination round.

Before a Christmas Day crowd of more than 20,000 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, the Express fought a good battle with the Batang Pier and pulled through in their last game in the year that’s about to end.

Joseph Yeo churned out his first career triple-double game (19 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds), Asi Taulava put in his biggest output in five years (28 markers) and Mark Cardona came through with his season’s best (also with 28) as the Express stopped their three-game skid and scored their second win in 10 games.

Just like their previous victory, their second was a character triumph they pulled through coming from the depth of an 18-point deficit.

“The guys just showed a mark of a team that’s willing to improve from their current position,” said Air21 head coach Franz Pumaren.

“One would notice that though we’re still down in the standings, we’re still very much upbeat,” Pumaren also said. “I’ve been talking to the management and they’re willing to give us more support. There are new guys coming in. It’s in the works.”

Pumaren hinted they’re strengthening their point guard and big forward rotations.

With their current rosters, the Express stood their ground in a tight, fierce battle with the Batang Pier, and went on to get even with the Mikee Romero-owned franchise.

In their initial tiff on Nov. 23, the Batang Pier, largely behind Terrence Romeo’s 34-point explosion, drubbed the Express, 114-100.

Cardona, however, was still out in sickbay then.

The former La Salle stalwart delivered the biggest baskets as the Express won the rematch and handed the Batang Pier a fifth loss against four wins.

With the Express protecting a shaky 105-103 lead, Cardona scored on a tricky move off Sol Mercado and later nailed two charities to seal the win.

Going down the drain was Mercado’s explosive 35-point performance – the most by any player in the season, surpassing Romeo’s 34.

The Express won’t be denied with Cardona, Taulava and Yeo giving the team a deadly triple threat.

“’Dear Santa Claus’ (Taulava) was terrific tonight though he fouled out. And who could overlook Joseph Yeo? Macmac was just as big,” said Pumaren.

Vic Manuel and KG Canaleta were also there as the Express charged back from 31-49 down, surged ahead at 61-60 and fought the Batang Pier big shots after big shots up the finish.

Taulava struck hardest in the fourth quarter, piling up eight points, none biggest than a short stab tying the count at 93 with 1:10 left.

Both teams missed several chances to win it in regulation. (SB)

The scores:

Air21 109 – Taulava 28, Cardona 28, Yeo 19, Manuel 14, Canaleta 11, Camson 5, Jaime 2, Custodio 2, Menor 0, Arboleda 0, Sharma 0.

GlobalPort 103 – Mercado 35, Washington 21, Romeo 16, Salva 9, Lingganay 7, Menk 5, Salvador 4, Yee 2, Hayes 2, Garcia 2, Nabong 0, Chua 0.

Quarterscores: 21-32, 47-53, 70-66, 93-93, 109-103

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