David, Santos hand Express 2-to-1 edge

Gary David and Arwind Santos delivered at crunch time, and Air21 overcame a seven-point deficit in the last eight minutes of play, upending Magnolia, 82-78, to move within two games of a first PBA finals in franchise history.

David and Santos struggled early on but delivered at the finish, powering the Express to a 2-1 lead over the Beverage Masters in their Smart PBA Fiesta Conference best-of-seven semifinal showdown at the Ynares Center in Antipolo last night.

“The boys have come of age. They’ve matured together. What’s only lacking is the result,” said Air21 coach Bo Perasol, confident they can hurdle Magnolia and make their first-ever finals stint.

“This is no longer about game plan. I don’t see major adjustments from both sides the rest of the series. This is now all about desire and determination. If we remain focused, we can reach the finals,” Perasol added.

The Express overcame the Beverage Masters with an 18-6 closing run.

David and Santos combined for all of Air21’s last 15 points, and the entire team worked together to limit Magnolia to two free throws in the last four minutes of the game.

David, a former Lyceum Pirate who won several awards last year, including the Most Improved Player and berths in the Mythical Selection and Best Defensive team, strung up 10 straight points to push Air21 ahead to stay at 77-76.

Santos, a contender in the MVP race this season, sealed the victory with a three-pointer and two charities in the final minute.

Curiously, the two groped for form early on with David going 3-of-9 from the field in the first three quarters and Santos scoreless in the first half.

“I know these guys won’t give up whatever the odds or the situation is. I know them to have great confidence,” said Perasol.

David went on to lead all scorers in the low-scoring game with 17 points that went with two rebounds, one assist and one steal in 32 minutes of action. Santos added 11 points and eight rebounds.

Steven Thomas concentrated on defense, getting 11 rebounds, four blocks and one steal on top of nine points and four assists.

The Express have gone 3-0 versus the Beverage Masters with Thomas in the cast. Air21’s lone defeat to Magnolia came in the series opener minus Thomas.

The Beverage Masters jumped the gun on the Express through the hot hands of Lordy Tugade and Dorian Peña.

Wynne Arboleda and Niño Canaleta, however, took over the game in the second period, allowing the Express to draw even at 41-all at the half.

The scores:

First Game

Air21 82 — David 17, Se 12, Santos 11, Arboleda 11, Thomas 9, Canaleta 8, De Ocampo 7, Intal 5, Sotto 2, Cruz 0, Espinas 0, Billones 0.

Magnolia 78 — McCaskill 16, Tugade 15, Peña 12, Racela 9, Ildefonso 8, Pingris 7, Cortez 6, Hontiveros 5, Gonzales 0.

Quarterscores: 17-24, 41-41, 57-62, 82-78