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Express near first Finals appearance
Source : Staff   
Thursday, 31 July 2008 16:02

Though this overachieving side won’t actually get there in express mode, Air21 looks like it will get the job done just the same.

The Express played with complete command of powerhouse Magnolia Wednesday night to post a 92-82 Game 5 victory in their Smart PBA Fiesta Cup semifinal series to move within a win of the franchise’s first-ever title series appearance at the quiet Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Gary David scored 20 points and four others chipped in 12 or more as Air21 built commanding leads early and never let up to take a 3-2 series lead and the momentum to close it out on Friday.

The Express closed out the first period with an 11-point lead, zoomed to a 16-point bubble early in the second before playing with cruise control the rest of the way to bounce back from a stinging Game 4 loss.

But the win came with the rock-solid Beverage Masters suddenly becoming undermanned in the second half after Dondon Hontiveros complained of a slight foot injury and was not fielded back after scoring seven points in the first period.

‘Untainted’

“I’m quite sure that they missed a lot with Dondon (Hontiveros) out,” said Air21 coach Bo Perasol, when asked what he thought of the win that came easy. “It would be sweeter for us if we beat them (in the series) with Dondon inside.

“I don’t want it (championship appearance) to be tainted.”

If at all, Air21 would end a six-year wait before playing for its first championship. The Express’ best finish came in this tournament two years ago, when Shawn Daniels led them to third place behind champion Red Bull and Purefoods.

“But I will take the win any time,” Perasol, who was also the coach of that team, added.

Amal McCaskill led the Beverage Masters with 23 points and 15 rebounds, but after Lordy Tugade’s 15 and Dorian Pena’s 13, the other ballyhooed locals failed to step up.

The winner of this series goes on to face finalist-in-waiting Barangay Ginebra in a best-of-seven series that starts Wednesday next week also at the Big Dome in Cubao.

The scores:

AIR21 92—David 20, De Ocampo 18, Se 15, Thomas 12, Santos 12, Arboleda 6, Cruz 5, Espinas 2, Sotto 2, Kramer 0, Canaleta 0, Billones 0.

MAGNOLIA 82—McCaskill 23, Tugade 15, Pena 13, Hontiveros 7, Gonzales 6, Cortez 6, Racela 6, Ildefonso 3, Calaguio 2, Pingris 1, Seigle 0.

Quarters: 31-20, 49-40, 74-61, 92-82
 
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