AIR21 SQUEAKS PAST GINEBRA
After blowing away a 20-point lead in a numbing loss to Meralco the last time out, Air21 returned playing tough throughout and pulled the rug from under Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 97-95, in the PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
Wesley Witherspoon struggled for only 25 points in his second game in the local pro league but made crucial baskets at the finish helping Air21 through after bungling what had looked a won ball game against Meralco Sunday.
The Express caught up with the Bolts at fourth place at 3-3 while the Kings slid to joint eighth with the Barako Bull Energy at 2-4.
The Kings actually had a chance to force overtime but Leon Rodgers failed to convert his attack in the last four seconds of play. Coach Juno Sauler curiously went to Rodgers for that last play after benching the import all the way from the third quarter.
“I guessed Witherspoon was affected by jetlag. He’s not his usual self but we survived,” said Air21 coach Franz Pumaren.
“Good thing, we’re able to regroup when they made the run. Hopefully, this serves as take-off point for our remaining games,” Pumaren added.
The amiable Air21 coach was elated to get back on the winning track before they take a long break.
“It would be hard to lose this particular game because our next game is April 9. Practice would be frustrating and tiring had we lost this game,” Pumaren pointed out.
After that sad experience against the Bolts, the Express wouldn’t let this game slip away.
Witherspoon made it 97-95 on a split from the line then put up a good defense on Rodgers in the next play.
The Express dominated the game but had to survive a determined chase by the Kings at endgame.
With Rodgers and key locals LA Tenorio and Mark Caguioa on the bench, the Kings fought back from a 13-point deficit, coming to within one, 95-96, on an undergoal stab by Billy Mamaril off a feed by Jayjay Helterbrand with time down to 18.7 seconds.
Joseph Yeo missed two free throws in the next play, but Air21 kept crucial possession as Japeth Aguilar bungled the defensive rebound.
Sauler rested Caguioa up to the end after the Ginebra top gun banged his head on the floor in a nasty fall midway through the third.
The Ginebra coaching staff also opted to keep Tenorio in the freezer with their chief playmaker scrambling for 3-of-8 shooting and committing two turnovers in 23 minutes of action.
The match could be Rodgers’ farewell game in the PBA. (SB)
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