Air21’s final destination: Prepares next season
July 17, 2011
JOSEF T. RAMOS
 ALTHOUGH their final destination – early elimination – isn’t good ending for them, the Air21 Express kept their aggression all-throughout the 36th Philippine Basketball Association’s Governor’s Cup fighting for pride.
Unfortunately, Air21’s last game went to another listless start and ending en route to a 116-145 loss against grand slam-seeking Talk ‘N Text that earned them a 0-8 finish in this conference last Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
“No players should be blamed on this,” said Air21 head coach Bong Ramos, reasoning the injury of 6’7 Dorian Pena as the reason of this very forgettable conference. “We traded JR (Reyes) and then Dorian got injured that left us struggling at the paint.”
After a close first quarter ending, 28-34, the Texters kept firing their guns against the helpless Express to balloon a commanding 76-53 halftime bulge and didn’t turn their back the rest of the way.
Air21’s Alpha Bangura, who performed his best game ever last conference to put his team in last conference semifinals, fired 25 points – including a rare follow up throw down in the last three minutes – and collected six rebounds.
“I’m so thankful to all of you guys for trusting me despite my misgivings,” said Bangura, who shot 8-of-13 in the field and sank 6-of-8 free throws. “If given another chance, I’m willing to fight alongside with you guys in the next season.
Playmaker Josh Urbiztondo and Carlo Sharma added 14 points each while Leo Avenido and Danny Seigle made 13 points apiece. Nino Canaleta finished with 11 points and forward Leo Najorda had eight points.
Former Express Mark Yee led Talk ‘N Text with 20 points.
Rookies 6’4 Elmer Espiritu and shooter Patrick Cabahug, however, showed a promising performance for the next season.
Air21’s first official practice sessions for preparation in the upcoming 37th PBA Philippine Cup season is scheduled some time in August after the rookie draft, according to team manager Allan Gregorio.
Individual Scores:
Talk N' Text 145 - Yee 20, Reyes 19, Peek 18, Williams 14, Fonacier 14, De Ocampo 14, Baker 10, Castro 9, Alapag 8, Carey 7, Aban 5, Alvarez 4, Lao 2, Oreta 1.
Air21 116 - Bangura 25, Urbiztondo 14, Sharma 14, Avenido 13, Seigle 13, Canaleta 11, Najorda 8, Cabahug 4, Espiritu 4, Hontiveros 3, Arboleda 3, Juntilla 2, Salvador 2.
Quarter Scores: 34-28, 76-53, 114-85, 145-116 |
Johann Heinrich Lambert G. Ramos serves as President of Linaheim Corporate Services, Inc., which is a proud member of the Lina Group of Companies. He was appointed President last January 2010...
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