Niños escape undermanned Air21 Express

THE M. LHUILLIER Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños proved to be rude hosts, both literally and figuratively, as they downed the visiting Air21 Express, 81-76, in their exhibition match held late Saturday night over at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Niños banked on their hot-shooting all-game long to beat the Express, which was playing without some key players including Cebuano hotshot Dondon Hontiveros, who is currently playing with the Smart Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba Asia Champions Cup.

The Niños led by as many as 19 but had to lean on some timely freethrow shots from Jayford Rodriguez down the stretch to secure the victory.

The game was not without troubles as Air21 nearly walked out of the game after a skirmish that erupted at the halfway point of the second period.

Leo Avenido was fouled on a drive with 5:35 left in the first half when Niños forward Mark Abadia punched the former Far Eastern University (FEU) standout square in the face. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio