Air21 Express make easy work of Welcoat Dragons, 105-86

The Air21 Express went to work in the final half to score a convincing 105-86 route of the Welcoat Dragons in the second game on Wednesday at the 2008 Smart-PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay. Though already reduced to being a team looking to build momentum going into the wild card round, the Express still showed determination in the final half, turning a close contest into a rout. "Though it’s practically a no-bearing game, we came out with a mindset that we’re playing a knockout contest," Air21 coach Bo Perasol said. "It’s not about winning but more of building momentum, confidence, and toughness going into the next round." Arwind Santos churned out a huge double-double game with 22 points and 17 rebounds, with Nino Canaleta, Jec Chia, JC Intalm and Ranidel de Ocampo each adding at least 12 points as the Express gained solo eighth place with seven wins against 10 losses. Perasol said they’ll try to nail that seeding in the playoffs, vowing to go hard for a win against the Sta. Lucia Realtors on Sunday. "We’ll go for a win against Sta. Lucia then we’ll be up either against Talk 'N' Text or Ginebra in the wildcard round," Perasol said. "Wala kang pipiliin dyan sa dalawang yan. Mas maganda ang lineup ng Talk n Text pero mahirap kalaban ang Ginebra sa knockout game." The Dragons end their its stint in the tourney against the Magnolia Brewmasters on Friday, seeking to make an exit on a winning note. The Dragons have lost all their last 10 games. With Joe Devance and Nic Belasco leading their charge, the Dragons took control most of the first half, taking a 26-21 lead at the end of the first period and a 48-45 edge at the turn. But the Express seized the initiative in the third quarter and then stepped up their drive at the outset of the final period, ripping the game open at 92-78. The returning Gary David, playing his first game after his breakout season last campaign, had his contribution in a 17-8 run Air21 unleashed to start the last canto. David, the Most Improved Player awardee and member of the Second Mythical Team and Best Defensive Team in the 2006-07 season, marked his first game this campaign with six points, three rebounds, two steals, and one assist in 17 minutes of action. "We’re breaking in David. Hopefully, he’s already in great shape come playoff time," Perasol said. Scores Air21 (105): Santos 22, Canaleta 22, Chia 13, Intal 12, De Ocampo 12, Kramer 6, Espinas 6, David 6, Arboleda 4, Magsumbol 2, Sotto 0, Se 0 Welcoat (86): Devance 18, Belasco 15, Arana 12, Reyes 11, Mente 10, Dulay 7, Wainwright 5, Gelig 4, Sta. Maria 4, Ballesteros 0, Tangkay 0

- GMANews.TV