PBA: Red hot shooting, Douhit turn Air21 Express into winners

(updated 7:48pm) The Air21 Express ended their agony in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Sunday night, whipping the Barako Bull Energy 97-88, for the franchise’s first-ever win in the 2011-12 season.             The Express kicked off their campaign in the Commissioner’s Cup on a high note, making their first 11 shots of the game, on route to a13-of-16 clip from the field in the first 12 minutes of play at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.             The near-flawless stint on the floor paved the way for an early 20-point spread, 33-13, which they managed to protect until the end, giving them a breakthrough victory after going winless in 14 games during the season-opener Philippine Cup.             Coach Franz Pumaren savored his first win as a full-time PBA coach, which he said would not be possible without the presence of import Marcus Douthit, the towering 6-foot-11 naturalized player who once suited up for Smart Gilas-Pilipinas.             “We needed somebody like Marcus to uplift the confidence of the players,” said Pumaren of his prized import. “I had a strange feeling coming into this game. The minute Marcus stepped in practice, everybody was in a good mood and the confidence level shot up. They know we just need the right pieces and the chemistry.             “So Marcus is table-fit for us. If we compare our team last conference, we’re a better team in terms of competitiveness.”             Douthit, coming off a stint in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), finished with 16 points and 17 rebounds, while also providing the inside intimidation lacking for the Express during the All-Filipino tournament.             But the native of Syracuse, New York, also got plenty of help from Air21’s locals.          New acquisition Nelbert Omolon had 17 points, while RJ Jazul and James Sena finished with 15 and 13 respectively. Mark Isip, who came toAir21 in the same trade as Omolon, chipped in 10 for the Express, which erected a 72-45 lead midway in the third period on two free throws by Douthit.             Barako Bull has now lost two in a row after opening the tournament with a 98-78 rout of Alaska.   Import DerMarr Johnson held his own for the Energy with 37 points, but only two-time MVP Willlie Miller, 14 points, and veteran Wynne Arboleda, 12, came through among the Barako Bull’s locals.   Still, the Energy made a game out of it in the final period when they threatened at 88-79 with 3:05 remaining following a three-pointer by Arboleda.   But they couldn’t sustain the comeback as Don Allado and Johnson fired blanks when they needed to score and the Express kept a nine-point advantage, 90-81, entering the game’s final two minutes.  - AMD, GMA News   The scores Air21 (97) -- Omolon 17, Douthit 16, Jazul 15, Sena 13, Isip 10, Escobal 7, Duncil 6, Hubalde 5, Ritualo 5, Espiritu 3, Mirza 0, Faundo 0.             Barako Bull (88) -- Johnson 37, Miller 14, Arboleda 12, Najorda 9, Allado 6, Seigle 4, Lanete 2, Pennisi 2, Pena 2, Weinstein 0, Salvador 0, Tubid 0.             Quarterscores: 33-13; 57-36; 77-60; 97-88