RP-Air21 annexes second win in HK

HONG KONG – Another day, another win for RP-Air21. Flaunting its firepower for the second straight day, RP-Air21 showed too much class in beating the Kagoshima City Red Sharks of Japan, 116-83, for its second straight win in the 15th Eastcolight-Super Kung Sheung Cup international invitational basketball championship at the Hong Kong Coliseum.

Ronald Tubid stood at the helm of the Filipinos’ second straight strong showing, erupting for a game-high 20 points on an awesome 6-of-7 shooting from the three-point area.

Ranidel de Ocampo, Mal Telan, K.G. Canaleta and Leo Avenido also produced impressive numbers for the Filipinos, who are being supported here by the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) and sponsored by Burlington, Accel and Federal Tires.

De Ocampo, the other half of the vaunted RP-Air21’s frontline, added 19 points and eight rebounds, while Telan contributed 16 points on a remarkable 8-of-9 shooting.

The De Ocampo brothers later flew home after being informed of the death of their father. (Obit below.)

And Canaleta, the reigning PBA slam dunk champion, had 13 points, including a couple of breakway dunks that sent the pre-dominantly Filipino crowd to its feet.

The win – the seocnd in as many matches – enabled the 11-man RP-Air21 team to clinch the first crossover, semifinal round berth.

The Filipinos also earned the right to compete in the inaugural Dr. Sun Yat Sen Cup, a four-nation, two-day tournament scheduled July 24-25 in nearby Chengzhen, China.

"The boys are playing very well," said RP-Air21 coach Johny Tam, who is best remembered by Filipinos here for leading the Rommel Adducul-led RP-Burlngton team to the title in 2003.

"Kagoshima is a strong team, but we were able to surprise them by our tireless, running game and trapping defense," added Tam, one of two RP-Air21 coaches here. (The other is Bo Perasol.)

Next up for RP-Air21 is the Los Angeles-based Asian American Sports Club, 80-56 winner over Singapore in the other Group B encounter Wednesday night.

The winner of the RP-US match will earn the top spot in Group B and a possible semifinal match against CBA champion Winnerway of China on Saturday.

The loser will meet defending champion Hong Kong, the only other unbeaten team in the tough, eight-nation tourney.

"With our line-up now, we can beat them (Chinese-Americans) and advance to the finals," said Perasol.