Air21 snaps losing skid with win over struggling Talk ‘N Text

Games today:

Araneta Coliseum

3:45 p.m.- Barako Bull vs. San Mig

6 p.m.- Barangay Ginebra vs. Rain or Shine

Veteran Asi Taulava put up decent numbers in his first game back in the pro-league, helping the Air21 Express to a much-needed 106-102 win over the slumping Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters last night in the 38th PBA Governors’ Cup at the PhilSports Arena.

Acquired from the Meralco Bolts in exchange for Mike Cortez, Taulava finished with seven points, nine rebounds and six assists as the Express snapped a four-game slide to improve to 2-5 (win-loss).

While Taulava provided the muscle in the paint, KG Canaleta and import Zach Graham took care of the perimeter scoring.

Canaleta exploded for 30 points anchored on six-for-14 shooting from the three-point land. Graham finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds.

Bonbon Custodio added 12 markers, including four straight points that gave the Express a crucial 102-99 lead in the final 1:29 of the game.

Vic Manuel was the third Air21 player to score in twin digits with 10.

Joseph Yeo marked his first game with the Express with three markers. Yeo moved to the Express from the Petron Blaze Boosters in favor of big man Mark Isip.

The two teams fought back and forth in the payoff period but the Express took control of the game after the Texters took a 99-98 lead, going into the two-minute zone of the contest.

Import Tony Mitchell fired 27 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Tropang Texters, who tasted their third straight debacle to drop to 2-5, joining their conqueror for the ninth and 10th spots in the team standings.

BOX SCORES

AIR21 (106)- Canaleta 30, Graham 27, Custodio 12, Manuel 10, Menor 7, Taulava 7, Atkins 4, Sharma 4, Yeo 3, Salamat 2, Burtscher 0.

TALK ‘N TEXT (102) – Mitchell 27, De Ocampo 19, Anthony 16, CAstro 12, Alapag 10, Fonacier 8, Carey 5, Peek 4, Al-Hussaini 1, Aban 0.

QUARTERSCORES: 22-19, 49-52, 75-75, 106-102.