Air21 hands TnT Texters first ever setback in PBA Commissioner’s Cup basketball
The Air21 Express completed what is by far the biggest upset in the 37th PBA Commissioner’s Cup, becoming the first team to beat the defending champions Talk N Text Tropang Texters, 89-78, last night at the Araneta Coliseum.
Making the win more impressive was the fact that the Express came away with the huge win despite the woeful offensive game of import Macus Douthit, who was limited to just six points although he had 24 big rebounds.
With their import struggling offensively, Nelbert Omolon took over for the Express and scattered a game-high 23 points that went along with 14 rebounds and four blocked shots.
The big win snapped Air21’s two-game losing streak, recording their second win in four games.
Splitting their first four games is already something for the Express following their humiliating campaign in the previous conference where they lost all their 14 assignments.
Typifying the strong local attack of the Express were the fine games of Jojo Duncil, Mark Isip and RJ Jazul, who scored 16, 16 and 12 points, respectively.
The Texters absorbed their first loss in four games to relinquish the solo leadership. Talk N Text fell to a two-way tied with the Barangay Ginebra Kings, who were still playing the Meralco Bolts as of this writing.
Talk N Text endured its first loss after winning its last assignment against the B-Meg Llamados with an import-less lineup.
Talk N Text’s new import scored 21 points in a losing debut.
BOX SCORES
AIR21 (89)- Omolon 23, Duncil 16, Isip16, Jazul 12, Sena 8, Douthit 6, Ritualo 4, Sison 2, Hubalde 2, Escobal 0, Aquino 0.
TALK N’ TEXT (78)- Harvey 21, De Ocampo 13, Castro 12, Fonacier 11, Dillinger 8, Alapag 7, Gamalinda 2, Carey 2, Peek 2, Aguilar 0, Reyes 0, Williams 0.QUARTERSCORES: 25-18, 42-37, 64-58, 89-78.
