Air21 never dies, forces third game

MANILA, Philippines - Alpha Bangura punctuated a huge 40-point game with key hustle plays at the finish, enabling Air21 to survive a third do-or-die game in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a 94-84 victory over Alaska Milk last night at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Bangura grabbed two offensive rebounds and put in six points in the last 42 seconds as Air21 held off a late-charging Alaska side to force a rubber match in their best-of-three quarterfinals showdown.

Game Three is set Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum with Air21 setting out for its fourth knockout game after last night and their last two outings in the elimination round.

Rain or Shine likewise forced a winner-take-all match with Barangay Ginebra following a 113-97 rout in the nightcap.

“The crucial thing was that we’re able to start well. It’s also important that we contained their guards. Those were contrary to what happened in Game One,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

Ronjay Buenafe, Ryan Arana and Gabe Norwood banged in at least three triples each as the Elasto Painters torched the Kings with hot three-point shooting in avenging a 91-100 loss Friday.

“Maybe, we’re destined to make the semifinals going through these do-or-die games. Who knows we might score another upset Wednesday,” said Air21 coach Bong Ramos.

Bangura expressed optimism that they would be able to pull it off, saying the team is determined to get going.

“We want to win; that’s the bottom line,” said Bangura, the prolific import who poured in a personal season-high of 40 points last night on 17-of-30 field shooting.

The Express led by as many as 20, 51-31, towards the end of the first half with Bangura torching the Aces with 22 points.

Air21 made a decisive turnaround in a 10-minute stretch bridging the first two quarters, wiping out an 11-point deficit at 8-19 and building a 15-point spread at 36-21.

The Aces, however, threatened to pull off a repeat of their Game One win.

Key plays at the finish by LA Tenorio and Sonny Thoss had Alaska Milk stealing the series’ opener, 91-89.

Last night, Tenorio again spearheaded an endgame rally allowing the Aces to nearly overcome a 20-point deficit.

Alaska had gained momentum and had a chance to tie at 86 when Thoss muffed two free throws with time down to 1:06.

The Express pounced on that big break with Danny Seigle and Bangura conspiring for a three-point play in the ensuing action.

After Cyrus Baguio misfired a three-point attempt, Bangura made possible another three-point play for Air21 to settle the outcome of the game at 92-84.

“We’re desperate. The guys don’t want to go home yet. We came out tonight to play 100 percent. We wanted it more,” said Bangura.

Leo Avenido, Air21’s key recruit from the Asean Basketball League, provided Bangura a big help with 15 points, including eight in the payoff period.

Alaska starters Joe De Vance, Tenorio, LD Williams and Baguio came through with double-digit outputs but they failed to get the needed support from their teammates.

Thoss, the team’s starting center who made the winning shot in the last game, struggled for two points.