Big Boss pressed them for a win - and Express did

The slumping Air21 Express needed a wake up call -- and it came from the chairman no less.

The Express worked on a pressing defense and a running attack to whip the Coca-Cola Tigers, 95-84, for their first win in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

“The order came from the chairman. Win or lose, he told us to protect our brand – ‘Express.’ It was a wake-up call,” said Air21 coach Bo Perasol on the instruction given by Lina Group of Companies chairman Bert Lina to the team in practice Thursday.

The Express pressed their bid in the fourth quarter and broke into the win-column after a 0-3 start coming from a runner-up finish behind the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the Fiesta Conference.

“After three straight losses, we realized we’re already playing in a new tournament. It’s hard for us coming out of that championship (series). In their (the Express’) minds, it’s easy going through another conference,” said Perasol.

“We made some adjustments and I think we did pretty well. We finished strong unlike in our first three games where we just couldn’t close out,” Perasol added.

Gary David scored 12 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter leading the Express to their strong windup. Air21 outscored Coca-Cola, 33-21, in the final period.

Ranidel de Ocampo churned out a fourth straight double-double performance with 19 points and 16 rebounds while Arwind Santos put in a game-high 25 points as Air21 dealt Coca-Cola its third defeat against a lone win.

The Express came through with an efficient effort defensively together as they forced the Tigers to commit 26 turnovers – Coca-Cola’s biggest in its first four games in the season.

Air21 produced 18 points off those Coca-Cola errors, enough to make up for the absence of Homer Se, out with a bruised knee.

The Express actually got off to a shaky start and stared at a 62-63 deficit entering the final period.

They were still behind at 71-72 when Santos scored on a jumper off Nic Belasco, igniting a 9-1 run that pushed the team ahead to stay at 80-73.