EXPRESS ARREST SKID, PROLONG TEXTERS’ WOES
AIR21’s woes seem to have just ended while Talk N Text’s have no end in sight. At least not yet.
With KG Canaleta and Zach Graham leading a sustained attack and a prominent newcomer making an immediate impact, the Express carved a 106-102 victory Friday to fan its hopes of making the PBA Governors Cup playoffs at the PhilSports Arena.
The win checked Air21’s four-game slide and tied it with its victim at 2-5 overall. More wins in their last two elimination round games, coupled by GlobalPort, Barangay Ginebra and TNT in their final matches would give the Express a shot at making it to the ensuing quarterfinals.
“At least we’re still in the hunt to make the next round,” said Air21 coach Franz Pumaren, whose team next takes on Meralco on Sunday and Alaska the Sunday after.
The loss was TNT’s third straight despite Tony Mitchell scoring 27 points to lead five Tropang Texters in double figures.
Air21 had less scorers, but they proved enough.
Canaleta was hottest with a gamehigh 30 points anchored on 6-for-14 three-point shooting while Zach Graham added 27 and 11 rebounds.
Even former MVP Asi Taulava did his part with seven points, nine rebounds and six assists in leading Air21’s newest additions. Also seeing action for the first time with Air21 are former Petron Blaze Booster Joseph Yeo, free agent Mike Burtscher and sophomore guard Eric Salamat, back from injury.
“We were inspired by the sudden shakeup of our lineup,” related Pumaren, giving special mention to the 40-year-old Fil-Tongan.
“For his age Asi still has the respect of the other teams. He gave us energy,” said Pumaren.
What makes the win more notable is the fact the Express went at it in the final 14 minutes of the game without forward Vic Manuel, who injured his left shoulder while trying to block Harvey Carey late in the third period.
Immediately after the incident, Manuel crumpled to the floor and sported an ice pack on his shoulder the rest of the game, thus failing to add on to his 10 points and nine boards.
“Hopefully the injury of Vic Manuel isn’t that bad,” said Pumaren. “Ang feeling ko parang pulled iyung left shoulder niya.”
The remaining Express were up to the task led by Canaleta, who scored 14 of his points in the fourth period.
Bonbon Custodio also chipped in with four of his 12 points during a one-minute span, giving Air21 a 102-99 lead, 1:47 to go.
After Mitchell’s jumper pulled TNT within one, it was practically all Air21 the rest of the way with graham’s drive and charities giving the Express a 106-101 lead, time down to just 35.8 seconds.
Ranidel de Ocampo’s charity split moved the Texters within four, but he, Jayson Castro and Larry Fonacier missed their respective triple tries in TNT’s final thrusts.
It was a fitting ending to a game which had 13 deadlocks, 18 lead changes and neither team leading by more than nine points.
“I told the guys to keep the game close, give me a chance to coach,” quipped Pumaren. (NC)
The scores:
Air21 106 – Canaleta 30, Graham 27, Custodio 12, Manuel 10, Menor 7, Taulava 7, Atkins 4, Sharma 4, Yeo 3, Salamat 2, Burtscher 0.
Talk N’ Text 102 – Mitchell 27, De Ocampo 19, Anthony 16, CAstro 12, Alapag 10, Fonacier 8, Carey 5, Peek 4, Al-Hussaini 1, Aban 0.
Quarters: 22-19, 49-52, 75-75, 106-102
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