Though falling short in the end, Air21 showed it can no longer be taken lightly as the Express gave the Barako Bull Energy Cola all they can handle before surrendering a close, 87-90 loss last night in the 38th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Air21 failed to win a single game in 14 outings in last season’s Philippine Cup but following a major shake-up in the off-season, hopes are high for this team in the conference.
For a while, the Express appeared ready to snatch their first win right in their very first outing in the season-opening conference when they built some sort of momentum in the fourth period.
The two teams figured in a fierce battle throughout the game.
Barako Bull took a, 71-69 lead into the fourth but new-recruit Bonbon Custodio scored four points in a 6-2 run that allowed Air21 to grab a, 75-72 edge.
The Energy Cola retook the lead, 83-79, with 5:55 left but the Express scored four straight points to tie the score at 83-all with 4:56 to go.
A win was still within reach for the Express but things went awry for them in the closing minutes.
The two teams were tied at 87-all in the final 2:07 but the Express failed to score a single point from that point, allowing the Energy Cola to escape.
Sean Anthony, Barako Bull’s prized recruit in the off-season, broke the deadlock with a split free throw then after an errant pass by Noy Baclao in a crucial play, Ronald Tubid followed up Enrico Villanueva’s missed fastbreak layup that gave the Energy Cola the three-point lead with 9.2 seconds left.
Air21 had the chance to tie the game but KG Canaleta misfired a three-point shot in the left corner as time ran out.
Tubid and Anthony paced the Energy Cola with 19 and 18 points, respectively. Doug Kramer added 14 points, while Mick Pennisi had 11.
Baclao and John Wilson, both off-season acquisitions, led the Express with 18 and 17 markers, respectively.
FAJARDO LOSES IN PBA DEBUT
Meanwhile, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters spoiled the debut of Cebuano behemoth June Mar Fajardo as the newly crowned Governors’ Cup champions subdued the powerhouse Petron Blaze Boosters, 102-86.
Fajardo wound up with nine points and 13 rebounds in a losing cause. The loss also spoiled the debut of newly installed coach Olsen Racela.
Jeff Chan led the Painters’ victory with 20 points.