Air21 pulls off shocker over TNT

Shawn Daniels grabbed a loose ball and scored on a short stab with time down to 2.4 seconds and Air21 got away with a 90-88 upset of Talk n Text in the San Mig Coffee PBA Fiesta Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo last night.

The Express, who took control almost throughout, lost momentum on a dubious three-pointer by Willie Miller entering the homestretch but regained their poise in the final minute to pull off the big reversal of the heavily-favored Phone Pals.

The Express fell behind by four, 82-86, but surged back into the lead, 88-86, with 45 seconds left in the contest on a six-point binge by Ronald Tubid.

Talk n Text tied the count at 88-all on two free throws by Asi Taulava off a foul by Daniels but the burly Air21 import came up with the biggest play of the match after Taulava himself blocked a semi-hook by John Ferriols.

Daniels seized possession in the ensuing play and soared for an easy twinner to shatter the 88-all deadlock in the last 2.4 seconds. Miller tried to salvage the game for the Phone Pals but his shot came off short at the buzzer.

"We can brag about this win because Talk n Text, no doubt, is one of the strongest teams in the league," said Air21 coach Bo Perasol as they notched their third win in seven outings.

"But I had no doubt in my mind that we have a chance to beat them if we can outrebound them or just match their rebounding," Perasol added as his Express handed the Phone Pals a second loss against seven wins.

Purefoods Chunkee rebounded from a bitter loss to Talk n Text the last time out, blasting Sta. Lucia Realty, 106-90, to regain the lead later in the night.