De Ocampo matches career best, lifts Air21

Ranidel de Ocampo dished out his best game coming from his stint with the national pool, tying his career-best 33 points as Air21 upended Talk n Text, 118-115, in the 2007-08 Smart PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

De Ocampo went 10-of-17 from the field with five triples and tossed in eight charities, including two in the last 15 seconds to close out the scoring in Air21’s fourth win in eight games.

Jimmy Alapag missed a game-tying three-point attempt in the dying seconds, allowing the Express to complete the come-from-behind victory in the high-scoring ballgame.

Jay Washington scored a career-high 28 points that went down the drain on their fourth loss against five wins.

“Jimmy (Alapag) took a good three-point shot and I felt he would make it. It’s a sad miss for them but definitely good for us,” said Air21 coach Bo Perasol.

Leo Najorda scored eight of his 17 points in the third quarter to fuel a Red Bull breakaway and rout to a 107-95 win over Magnolia in the second game.