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Lucena – Gary David scored 27 points and Ranidel de Ocampo added 19 as Air21 bounced back from a bitter, disputed loss by ending Rain or Shine’s two-game run, 106-103, last night at a jam-packed road game of the KFC Philippine Cup at the Quezon Convention Center here.
David and De Ocampo nailed two free throws each inside the final 50 seconds as the Express broke a 100-all tie to also snap a two-game slide, rise to 4-5 (win-loss), and put themselves in the middle of the pack after their first round schedule.
The Elasto Painters started out hot but weren’t able to hold off the more experienced Express when it mattered as Rain or Shine, despite the loss, remained in third place at 5-4.
“We need victories like this one, like we need losses like that one (on Wednesday against San Miguel) to build our character,” Air21 coach Bo Perasol told the Inquirer, referring to their protested 129-130 double overtime loss to the Beermen.
“It (San Miguel loss) just made the boys stick together and play even harder,” Perasol added. “We know we won that game and we trust the judgment of the commissioner when he decides on the protest.”
League commissioner Sonny Barrios, who went to the Air21 practice at Xavier on Friday, will come up with a decision on whether or not to order a replay of that game on Monday at the latest.
Meanwhile, streaking Purefoods and Alaska take the floor again after just two nights’ rest as they go for each other’s throats when action returns to the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao today.
With both coming off impressive victories Friday night, the Tender Juicy Giants gun for a fourth straight win when they clash with the Aces in the featured game at 6:30 p.m. where no less than the solo lead is at stake for Alaska.
Purefoods has won its last three games, including two tightrope victories in succession. The Giants will try to take the momentum of an 88-87 victory over Talk ‘N Text where sophomore guard Chico Lanete played hero at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Giants can climb above .500 for the first time in the season-opening tournament with a win, and they will have to do it without reliable sixth man Peter June Simon and starting point guard Roger Yap.
Sta. Lucia, the defending champion, tries to snap out of a three-game slide when the Realtors lock horns with the Red Bull Barako in the first game at 4 o’clock.
