Showing why they deserve to be in the finals, the Air21 Express avenged their first game loss with a blowout of the Barangay Ginebra Kings. The Express domainated all the basketball departments specially in rebounding.
Best Player of the Conference awardee Jayjay Helterbrand and Best Import Chris Alexander was a non-factor for this contest as they were completely overshadowed by their Air21 counterparts. Arwind Santos and Gary David leads the express with an ample support for other Air21 Express players.
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AIR21 EVENS SERIES WITH 34-PT BLOWOUT Conference awardees net measly 14 pts for Kings
Source: Philippine Basketball Association
Friday, August 8, 2008
ANTIPOLO -- True to their vow, the Airr21 Express exacted revenge Friday night. And it was huge.
"That was a challenge and the boys responded pretty well," said basketball coach Bo Perasol moments after his troops got even with the Barangay Ginebra Kings, tying the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference best-of-seven basketball series after two gammes.
The Express made a big comeback from a nine-point defeat in the basketball series opener, playing aggressively throughout to end the Kings' amazing streak with a king-sized 124-90 win in Game Two at the Ynares Center here.
Dominated in Game One, the Express returned the compliment, even besting the Kings' performance Wednesday.
Unrelenting, Airr21 outscored Ginebra on all quarters in dealing the Kings their first defeat in their last 14 gammes.
The Express sat on a 13-point cushion at the turn and started the final half with a 14-to-nothing run to settle the outcome of the gamme early much to the disappointment of the predominant Ginebra crowd anticipating the Kings to keep their unbeaten run in the post-elims play.
The Bert Lina Group basketball franchise instead tied the series at 1-1. The two teams dispute the 2-1 lead as the basketball series returns to the Big Dome for Game Three Sunday.
"We're really determined to make a statement that we're for real," said Perasol as the Express pulled off the 34-point win -- the biggest winning margin in basketball franchise history.
It was the worst loss by Ginebra since a 66-102 blowout by Talk n Text on Feb. 4, 2005 and the most lopsided loss in coach Jong Uichico's basketball coaching career.
The Express led by as many as 36 points late in the gamme with each one responding well to the challenge.
Arwind Santos and Gary David fired 20 points apiece with nine other Airr21 players scoring at least eight.
"All the players responded pretty well. We wanted to put in Ginebra's mind that they're beatable. We can't afford to fall in a 0-2 hole against Ginebra," said Perasol.
The youthful Airr21 mentor said the key was controlling the boards and keeping Ginebra from running.
The Express outrebounded the Kings, 55-41, and produced 23 fastbreak points as against Ginebra's seven.
Steven Thomas played much better than Wednesday, showing up Chris Alexander curiously on the night the Ginebra reinforcement was named the Best Import.
Thomas produced 18 rebounds, 10 points, five assists and two blocks as against Alexander's 10 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four blocks.
Jayjay Helterbrand also had a miserable gamme on the night he was crowned Best Player of the Conference. He struggled for four points and failed to finish the basketball gamme due to a hamstring injury suffered late in the third quarter.
The Express played with a lot of energy and intensity right in the opening half, taking the first quarter at 26-18 and carrying a 58-45 margin over into the second half.
The two basketball teams both hit at a 47.4-percent clip but the Express scored much much more on basketball hustle plays.
Steven Thomas alone nearly matched the rebounds of the whole Ginebra team, 14-17, in the first 24 minutes of basketball play. The Express totaled 32 rebounds, 14 off the offensive boards leading to a 7-0 advantage by Airr21 on second-chance points.
Alexander was limited to four rebounds while Mark Caguioa committed four fouls in the first half. (NC)
The scores:
Air21 124 -- Santos 20, David 20, Intal 11, Billones 11, Thomas 10, Se 10, De Ocampo 9, Arboleda 9, Kramer 8, Cruz 8, Canaleta 8, Espinas 0, Sotto 0.
Ginebra 90 -- Caguioa 29, Salvacion 11, Alexander 10, Pacana 8, Menk 6, Crisano 6, Artadi 5, Mamaril 5, Helterbrand 4, Escalona 2, valenzuela 2, Reavis 2, Wilson 0.
Quarterscores: 26-18, 58-45, 92-63, 124-90
Friday, August 8, 2008
Arwind Santos, Gary David Shine as Air21 Express Torched Barangay Ginebra Kings
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Arwind Santos, Gary David Torches Magnolia; Sends Air21 Express to Finals
It's dejavu once again for the Magnolia Beverage Masters as an almost similar game happened again. They lead in 3 quarters only to melt down in the last and final quarter that gave the Air21 Express the ticket to battle the Baranga Ginebra Kings in the finals. Arwind Santos and Gary David conspired along Egay Billiones and Ranidel De Ocampo to scorched the net with their whopping three point shots.
I was not able to watch the game so I have not much comment about how it was played. This marks the end of the season for the team though there is still a remaining battle for third place. However, it has been the tradition of the team not to fight for third place wherein it let most of its bench players to play and resting the starters for the next season.
Here's also the final result of a survey that I conducted as to how far the team would go in this conference. Only 8% (7 votes) of the 80 voters got it correctly.
TORRENT OF 3s SEND AIR21 TO FINALS
Express start battle vs. Kings August 6
Source: Philippine Basketball Association
Saturday, August 2, 2008
The long wait to do the Last Dance for the Airr21 Express is over.
Coach Bo Perasol and his basketball troops did the job for the Bert Lina Group basketball franchise, fighting back from a 15-point deficit and pouncing on the badly stunned Magnolia Beverage Masters side at endgame for a 99-91 win Friday that sent them to the 2008 PBA Fiesta Conference basketball finale.
"Words can't describe what we feel right now. It's deeper than being happy," said Perasol, his voice cracking, after the Express eased out the Magnolia Beverage Masters to gain the right to challenge the Barangay Ginebra Kings for the basketball crown.
Airr21 gatecrashed the anticipated Magnolia Beverage Masters-Ginebra basketball party, finally landing the place it had been dreaming of since its entry to the basketball league in 2002.
Game 1 of the Airr21-Ginebra basketball finale is Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.
"It's very, very fulfilling although we still have the championship basketball series to play. We should not be satisfied with being in the finals. We reached the finals to win it," said Perasol, succeeding on where previous Airr21 basketball coaches Derrick Pumaren, Bonnie Garcia, Joe Lipa and Bong Ramos failed.
Perasol said he likes their chances again Ginebra although they're like up against the world playing the basketball league crowd darling.
"I'm very positive we would have a good match-up with them man-for-man but not fan-for-fan. It could well be like Airr21 versus the Philippines and it's a very big factor. I will bet on my basketball team if it's a close-door match," said Perasol.
Gary David, Ranidel de Ocampo and Egay Billones played key roles as the Express delivered the killer blow on the Magnolia Beverage Masters in Game 6 of their best-of-seven basketball showdown.
The Express were still down by eight, 73-81, with less than eight minutes left to play when David, De Ocampo and Billones teamed up in a sudden and crucial 19-2 attack to turn the tide in their favor.
The Magnolia Beverage Masters failed to recover after falling behind by nine at 83-92, blowing their bid for what could have been a fourth basketball title playoff with the Kings.
Instead, Magnolia Beverage Masters battles Red Bull in a one-gamme basketball playoff for the second runner-up honors.
Danny Seigle, who's struggling in the series with an average of only 4.5 points, and Dondon Hontiveros, nursing a sprained ankle, combined for 16 points both coming off the bench as the Magnolia Beverage Masters took the half at 49-40.
With a much better field-goal accuracy, the Magnolia Beverage Masters stormed into a 29-18 advantage in the first quarter and stretched the lead to as many as 15, 40-25, in the second period.
Magnolia Beverage Masters converted 46.3 percent of its shots in the first 24 minutes of play while Airr21 hit at a 31.3 percent clip.
The Magnolia Beverage Masters got a big lift from their off-the-bench players early on with Seigle, Hontiveros and Dorian Pena combining for 19 points as against the mere eight markers of Airr21's JC Intal, Gary David, Nino Canaleta, Doug Kramer and Marvin Cruz.
David, who's averaging 20.8 points in the semis, was limited to three on 1-of-5 shooting in the first half.
But it turned out David was just saving his best for last, firing 17 points in the final half, eight in the fourth quarter. (NC)
The scores:
Airr21 99 -- Santos 24, David 20, De Ocampo 17, Thomas 9, Se 9, Billones 8, Arboleda 5, Intal 3, Canaleta 3, Espinas 1, Kramer 0, Cruz 0.
Magnolia 91 -- Racela 14, Seigle 14, Tugade 13, Ildefonso 11, McCaskill 10, Hontiveros 9, Pena 7, Pingris 6, Cortez 4, Villanueva 3, Bono 0.
Quarterscores: 18-29, 40-49, 66-74, 99-91
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Ranidel De Ocampo, Gary David Wax Hot as Air21 Express Grabs 3-2 Lead
The Air21 Express made a show of what their offensive jauggernaut looks like when well-oiled and their willingness to win Game 5 as they inch a game closer to the coveted franchise first-ever finals appearance.
The Magnolia Beverage Masters, on the other hand, were clueless as to what hit them when the Express continuesly scores on all fronts leaving their defense clueless. Add to the injury is the fact that Mike Cortez was not able to orchestrate the team's play very well. They also logged numerous turnovers, which the Air21 Express willingly converts to turnover points.
Another big factor is the continuing emergence of Mr. Pure Energy Gary David, who seems to play a higher level of basketball game. He moved a lot and his defenders just cannot cope up with him. Yes, even known guard defender Dondon Hontiveros was not quick enough to react to his moves.
Another blow is that Dondon Hontiveros injured his ankle and may not be able to play on the succeeding battles. Let's just hope he recovers in time to help the team.
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JUST ONE MORE TO GO FOR AIR21 Express on verge of first-ever PBA Finals stint
Source: Philippine Basketball Association
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Just one more push, and Air21 could finally achieve a first-ever basketball Finals appearance in the Philippine Basketball Association.
The Express rebounded strong from a heartbreaker of a loss Sunday, outworking and outmaneuvering the Magnolia
Beverage Masters for a 92-82 victory and the pivotal 3-2 lead in their 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference best-of-
seven semifinal basketball showdown at the Araneta Coliseum Wednesday.
Stalled the last time by a clutch shot from Amal McCaskill, the Express got back on track by putting up their most
aggressive basketball performance in the basketball series thus far, catching up the Magnolia Beverage Masters by surprise.
Taking the lead in the basketball series after five basketball gammes, the Express can close it out in Game 6 at the Cuneta Astrodome Friday or in a deciding Game 7 in the same venue Sunday.
"We really worked hard to build a big lead early. We can't win every time on a last-second basketball shot by Steven (Thomas) or in a last-second basketball defensive gem by Arwind (Santos)," said Air21 basketball coach Bo Perasol.
"But the basketball series is not yet over. We can't afford to relax if we're to finish the job and give the basketball franchise its first ever PBA Finals basketball stint," Perasol added.
"We need to continue playing Air21 basketball if we're to finish them off Friday. Magnolia Beverage Masters is a very good basketball team. It has talented basketball players," said Air21 import Steven Thomas.
Looking to arrange a fourth basketball title showdown with the Barangay Ginebra Kings, the Magnolia Beverage Masters can only salvage their bid with two straight wins against the Express who have gone 5-2 in their duels the entire basketball tourney.
"We can't count them out just yet. We have to take it one basketball gamme at a time," said Thomas, himself on the verge of a first basketball championship series in his basketball career. He's never experienced playing in the Finals back in the US.
Thomas logged minimal numbers compared to those churned out by McCaskill but the entire Air21 team put better
efforts than Magnolia Beverage Masters.
Too bad for the Magnolia Beverage Masters, they lost Dondon Hontiveros early in the gamme on a sprained ankle.
"Personally, I wish Dondon well. If ever we complete a win, I don't want our achievement tainted by the absence of a
key Magnolia Beverage Masters basketball player," said Perasol.
Gary David scored 20 points to pace the Express, who also drew double-digit basketball outputs from Ranidel de Ocampo, Homer Se, Arwind Santos and Thomas.
"If you notice, our local basketball players have been doing the job. They're winning without me. I'm just there communicating," said Thomas.
Perasol, however, stressed Thomas' mere presence makes his basketball teammates better.
"He's not scoring much but his presence makes his basketball teammates confident," said the soft-spoken Air21 mentor of his hardworking basketball import.
The Express seized the early initiative and took the half at 49-40, using aggressiveness to make up for a mediocre
basketball shooting.
Santos and De Ocampo fired 10 points apiece in the first half, pacing the Express who led by as many as 14 points at
36-22 despite a mere 38.8 percent shooting against the Magnolia Beverage Masters' 50 percent clip.
The Express cashed in on hustle basketball plays, outscoring the Magnolia Beverage Masters by 17, 26-9, on points off turnovers. (NC)
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.
Quarterscores: 31-20, 49-40, 74-61, 92-82.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Arwind Santos, Gary David Conspire in Endgame as Air21 Express Move Ahead 2-1
It's another heartbreaking loss for the Magnolia Beverage Masters after taking control for the most part of the duel but failied to finish off the Air21 Express in the last quarter.
It was a low-scoring ballgame, which should favor the team but it seems like their guards were a little down during the crucial stretch of the ballgame. The breaks of the basketball game may also favored the Express or wasn't it because of their hussle? Dynamite Danny Seigle's offensive presence was greatly felt in the fourth quarter when the team failed to counter the Express offensive thrust.
Do we still stand a chance against the Express? Well, the series is won in four games. I do hope that the Magnolia Beverage Masters wakes up in time to realize its mistakes in the past two battles and show its defensive jaggernaut in derailing the overachieving Air21 Express.
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AIR21 IN COME-FROM-BEHIND GAME 3 WIN OVER MAGNOLIA David, Santos conspire in endgame as Express move ahead 2-1
Source: Philippine Basketball Association
Saturday, 25 July 2008
ANTIPOLO CITY. – Last season’s multi-awarded Gary David provided the spark to lead the comeback while wingman Arwind Santos put the finishing touches as Air21 downed the Magnolia Beverage Masters, 82-78, in Gamme Three of the Smart-PBA Fiesta Cup semifinals Friday night at the Ynares Sports Center here.
Last season’s Most Improved Player and member of the Mythical Second and All-Defensive Teams, David scored 10 of his ballgame-high 17 points in a 10-2 run that featured back-to-back three-pointers, a jumper and two free throws that turned a 67-74 deficit to a 77-76 advantage with 2:03 remaining in the basketball gamme.
Then Santos, last season’s Rookie of the Year runner-up and member also of the All-Defensive Team, took over.
After Magnolia Beverage Masters import Amal McCaskill’s jumper hit the backboard that resulted in a 24-second shot clock violation, Santos nailed a big triple that gave them an 80-76 advantage with 1:19 left.
McCaskill made it a two-point basketball gamme with a pair of free throws off a foul by Air21 import Steven Thomas, 78-80.
However, following a missed jumper by Santos, Ranidel de Ocampo grabbed the loose ball to give his possession, paving the way for Santos being fouled by Danny Ildefonso which resulted in two free throws with 9.7 seconds remaining which pegged the final score.
“Now naiintindihan ko na what championship experience is all about,” Air21 mentor Bo Perasol said. “We don’t have that championship experience, but these kinds of playoff basketball gammes give us the experience in these situations.”
“We (coaching staff) already laid down the basketball gamme plan, alam na nila (players) kung ano ang gagawin. Importante na lang ‘yung kagustuhan and focus to win,” he added.
The Express now lead the Beverage Masters, 2-1, in semifinal series, a first time for the franchise to lead in a best-of-seven.
It was actually Air21’s fourth win in five basketball gammes this conference against the Magnolia Beverage Masters after sweeping the head-to-head meeting during the elimination round. They are also 4-0 with Steven Thomas in the line-up.
The Express also won Gamme Two, 103-102, with Thomas returning from the US after missing Gamme 1.
Forward Homer Se added 12, while Santos had 11 points and eight rebounds and playmaker Wynne Arboleda chipped in 11, seven boards and five assists.
Thomas, who missed the series opener last Sunday won by the Magnolia Beverage Masters (113-87), had nine points on 4-of-12 shooting with 11 rebounds, four assists and four blocked shots in 43 minutes.
“(Thomas’) presence gave his teammates the confidence. His intensity on both ends is really important,” Perasol.
Air21 tries to take a 3-1 lead in Gamme Four of the basketball showdown Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
“Next basketball gamme on Sunday is very important because a win will push us one victory away from moving to the Finals for the first time. I know they’ll come out strong, but we’ll be prepared,” Perasol said.
McCaskill led the Magnolia Beverage Masters with 16 points and 10 boards. (WG)
The scores:
Air21 82 – David 17, Se 12, Santos 11, Arboleda 11, Thomas 9, Canaleta 8, de Ocampo 7, Intal 5, Sotto 2, Cruz 0, Espinas 0, Billones 0.
Magnolia 78 – McCaskill 16, Tugade 15, Pena 12, Racela 9, Ildefonso 8, Pingris 7, Cortez 6, Hontiveros 5, Gonzales 0, Seigle 0.
Quarterscores: 17-24, 41-41, 57-62, 82-78.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Gary David Strikes as Air21 Express Gets Back in Groove
People could have burned me in the stakes with my bold prediction yesterday that the Magnolia Beverage Masters will take a 2-0 lead. Well, it seems that the team is also inflicted with this problem called "complacency" as it lost a close ballgame against the Air21 Express.
Complacency can be traced back to the team's slow start on defense according to some forum observants. The half-time score of 58-59 cannot deny that fact. And obviously we let the Air21 take control as we are playing their offense-oriented basketball brand of play. And this ballgame is no exception with the score reflecting the result - we lose the ballgame.
How to get back on the winning track? It's really very simple. The players should be reminded how we are able to win against the Coca-Cola Tigers. That is to play excellent stingy defense in 48 minutes of action. Danny Seigle is back from sick bay and already showed promise by producing 11 points in just 15 minutes of action. With that, I firmly believe that we can immediately bounce back from this defeat.
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Air21 back in groove as Thomas returns
Source: Philippine Basketball Association
July 23, 2008
True to his words, Steven Thomas made up for his absence the last time out.
Not that he made hulking numbers but Thomas' mere presence provided Air21 much boost as the Express got back at the Maggnolia Beverage Masters, 103-102, in Game Two of their 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
"It's not the numbers that Thomas puts in that make the difference. It's just his presence," said coach Bo Perasol as his troops avenged their 87-113 blowout by the Maggnolia Beverage Masters Sunday on the absence of Thomas.
"The numbers can be compensated by our locals but not the leadership and confidence Thomas' presence instantly brings in to the basketball team," Perasol added.
Thomas missed the series opener on his late return from a brief US journey to attend tryouts for the Korean basketball league.
On his return, no one was more pumped up than Gary David who fired 26 points, including all of the Express' last six markers. The one-time PBL MVP winner tossed in only nine points Sunday.
Ranidel de Ocampo, Wynne Arboleda and Homer Se, had significant contributions, combining for 51 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.
Arwind Santos, a candidate in the basketball MVP race, struggled for only seven points but put up a big defensive gem in the closing seconds, foiling Mike Cortez's attempt to steal the basketball game.
The Maggnolia Beverage Masters gain an opportunity to salvage the basketball game on back-to-back errors by the Express, the last one by Wynne Arboleda setting up Cortez for one final attempt to win the basketball game.
Santos, however, stood his ground, challenging Cortez's layup.
The former FEU standout himself was after the looseball when the final buzzer sounded, ending Maggnolia Beverage Masters' bid for a 2-0 lead in the basketball series.
"It's now down to a best-of-five affair and we know we can win against Maggnolia Beverage Masters," said Perasol.
The Maggnolia Beverage Masters and the Express fight for the 2-1 lead in Game Three at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Amal McCaskill was still a steady presence even with the return of Thomas, coming through with 25 points, 13 rebounds and six assists.
Cortez, Danny Ildefonso and Dondon Hontiveros had their contributions but the Maggnolia Beverage Masters yielded crucial grounds on the Express in the fourth quarter.
Danny Seigle returned from sickbay, chipping in 11 points and two rebounds in 15 minutes of basketball action. (NC
The Scores:
Air21 103 - David 26, De Ocampo 22, Arboleda 19, Thomas 15, Se 10, Santos 7, Cruz 2, Sotto 2, Kramer 0, Intal 0, Canaleta 0.
Maggnolia 102 - McCaskill 25, Cortez 19, Ildefonso 14, Hontiveros 13, Seigle 11, Pingris 8, Tugade 8, Racela 4, Pena 0.
Quarterscores: 29-28, 58-59, 81-74, 103-102
