MANILA, 8 March 2007 — There seems to be something about adversity that makes Air21 click.
After losing two key players in less than eight months and a third to the National Team three weeks ago, the Express last night brought down the most powerful team in the PBA Fiesta Cup with the resiliency they are known for.
Air21 battled back from as many as 14 points down in the third period, holding Sta. Lucia to sporadic baskets in the stretch for a 101-94 come-from-behind victory at the Araneta Coliseum that extended the Realtors’ frustrations. Six players, led by guard Gary David’s 25 points, tossed in twin digits for the Express, who dug out of a huge hole and frustrated the star-studded Realtors who played under a new coach in Boyet Fernandez for the first time.
Sta. Lucia is understandably the favorite in the tournament, the team left untouched by the RP Five coaching staff which picked a total of 12 players from seven PBA teams, Ranidel de Ocampo of Air21 included.
And instead of sulking in despair after losing yet another major piece in the team, the Express played with so much desire to complete the rally and join opening day winners Coca-Cola and Red Bull on top.
Air21 also gave away Yancy de Ocampo before the start of the season and the energetic Ronald Tubid in the middle of the last tournament in lopsided deals to Talk ‘N Text and Barangay Ginebra, respectively.
Sta. Lucia import Rock Winston failed to play to the hype that was given him, finishing with just 18 points and 17 rebounds that were not enough to bail the Realtors out.
The 6-foot-3 former Lamar University standout did show some good moves, but his inability to deliver for the Realtors when the team needed it the most at the crunch told on them heavily.
Kenneth Duremdes, the 1998 MVP while with Swift, knocked in back-to-back triples that capped a 9-0 run with 3:02 left in the third for a 71-57 lead for Sta. Lucia.
Rookie Arwind Santos helped David in a searing fourth quarter charge, hitting two straight baskets in 23 seconds that gave the Express a 94-92 lead for good with under two minutes left.
David actually gave the Express their first taste of the lead, hitting a short jumper with 3:04 left for 90-89, before a Cesar Catli triple on the other end shoved the Realtors in front for the last time, 92-90.
Alaska later outsteadied Talk ‘N Text, 98-94, after getting 27 points from Willie Miller and 20 from import Rosell Ellis.
“He’s our scoring import for the conference,” Alaska coach Tim Cone said of Miller in jest.
“Rosell (Ellis) does not want the ball. He’s content in making his teammates score and I think that will be key for us here.”
Sonny Thoss added 15 points for the Aces, who will miss the services of national Tony dela Cruz for the tournament and Mike Cortez for at least the first month of the elimination round.
The Phone Pals did not show signs that they were missing Asi Taulava, Ren-Ren Ritualo and Jimmy Alapag, even if they struggled.
Import JJ Sullinger, the only rookie to play in the CBA All-Star Game last Feb. 6, groped for form in the first half but got his rhythm going in the final two periods to give the Phone Pals a chance in the stretch.
He scored 17 of his 20 points in the final two quarters, even as Anthony Washington led the Phone Pals with 21. Mark Cardona chipped in with 18 and Yancy de Ocampo 16 points and eight rebounds.
