Express romp over Tigers in furious rally

A basket from more than 50 feet gave Air21 the needed spark last night as it came back from 18 points down and beat Coca-Cola, 102-91, in the PBA Smart Philippine Cup at the Fresnedi Sports Center.

The Express were trailing, 30-12, when guard Aries Dimaunahan beat the first-quarter buzzer with a prayer from beyond the halfcourt line. It proved to be the biggest basket of the game held in Muntinlupa City.

Dimaunahan’s rare shot triggered a furious comeback by the Express who went on to outscore the Tigers in the second quarter, 37-13. By halftime, Air21 was already ahead by nine points.

It was all Air21 the rest of the way with slamdunk expert KG Canaleta, Arwind Santos, Homer Se, Ranydel de Ocampo, Jeck Chia and Wynne Arboleda connecting most of the time.

Dimaunahan only had five points in the game, but his lone field goal was enough to lead the Express to their second win in four games. The Tigers got off to a 24-6 start but fell to 1-3.

In the other game, Talk N Text held off Magnolia, 100-94, and both teams emerged tied at 3-2.

Ali Peek was almost unstoppable, scoring heavily from underneath as he tried to carry the fight for Coca-Cola along with Mark Telan and promising rookie Ronjay Buenafe. They combined for 56 points.

Action resumes today at the Astrodome with Alaska facing Welcoat at 4:30 p.m. and old rivals Ginebra and Purefoods squaring off at 6:30 p.m.

Purefoods is the only unbeaten team so far in the tournament after four games while Ginebra is on a slide, losing their last three games following an opening win over Red Bull.