Air21 airborne, strafes Tigers

For the Air21 Express, life goes on despite the exit of another high-profile player.

Off-guard Gary David delivered huge numbers while playing extended minutes with the departure of Ronald Tubid, and the Express subdued the Coca-Cola Tigers, 112-110, in the Talk n Text PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

David went 11-of-21 from the field and logged a game-high 27 points as the Express redeemed themselves from a 102-118 blowout by the San Miguel Beermen in Tubid’s farewell game with Air21 Saturday in Subic.

"We wanted to give Ronald a good farewell game then, but the boys were so destructed knowing they’re about to lose a teammate," said Air21 coach Bo Perasol.

"But the boys have decided for themselves that we have to move on. Kinalimutan na namin ang nangyari," Perasol added.

Brothers Yancy and Ranidel de Ocampo and prized rookie Arwind Santos also delivered as the Express notched their third win against four defeats.

Ranidel had a double-double game with 13 points and 11 rebounds and personally sealed their win with a split from the line, deliberately missing the second of his two free throws with the team holding a two-point edge with 1.2 seconds left on the clock.

With the Tigers having used up all their timeouts, Chris Pacana could only make a wild heave after collaring the rebound.

Coca-Cola suffered a fifth loss against three wins despite the return of ace slotman Ali Peek from injury.

The Tigers, however, just refused to give up easily although the Express took control the entire length of the game.

Down by 11 at the end of the third, Coca-Cola started the final period with a 10-2 run, and the Tigers kept the game close up to the finish.

"Somehow, it’s better we won it in a close fight for the experience of it. Our first two victories were blowouts," said Perasol.

Meanwhile, Sta. Lucia Realty plays newcomer Welcoat, staking its hold of the solo lead in another weekend doubleheader feature at the San Juan Arena. The Realtors are fancied to score a sixth win in seven outings in the 4:05 p.m. tiff.

Red Bull and Talk n Text clash at 6:30 p.m. with both looking to improve their standings in the upper half of the chart.

The resurgent San Miguel Beer squad breached the .500 mark for the first time in the tourney as it made it four in a row with an 87-79 win over Purefoods in the second game.

"The key was the production of the bench," said San Miguel coach Chot Reyes as they sustained their charge following three straight defeats in the season.