Air21, Elasto Painters bounce back

MANILA, Philippines - Keena Young provided Air21 a steady presence with Ronnie Matias putting in all-out support in the fourth quarter as the Express drubbed the Barako Energy Coffee Masters, 113-108, last night in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.

Narrowly beaten by the San Miguel Beermen in their debut Wednesday, the Express broke into the win-column as they beat the Coffee Masters in a duel of last two placers in the recent Philippine Cup.

Young churned out 25 points and 16 rebounds while Matias added 18 for the Lina Group ball club which made it 3-of-3 versus Barako in their head-on games in the season.

“I guess the key was that we were able to manage their import. We had problems with him in the first half, but our zone defense worked in the second,” said Air21 coach Yeng Guiao.

“Overall, I think the team is improving. Our confidence is getting better. What we were lacking in the last conference when we lost Wynne (Arboleda) we got now from Mike Cortez. We have a good point guard again,” Guiao added.

Cortez, a transferee from San Miguel Beer, made 15 points in his second game with the Express. He was good for only three points in his face-off with his former team Wednesday.

Young, Matias and Cortez supplied the Express the firepower, with Matias also exerting effort in taking his turn to guard prolific Barako import Sammy Monroe.

Air21 shifted to zone defense to neutralize Monroe in the final half, and the Express went on to deal the Coffee Masters a second straight loss after a triumphant debut versus the Sta. Lucia Realtors.

Going down the drain was Monroe’s productive haul of 36 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists.

Young didn’t score that much for the second straight game, but Guiao expressed belief that he’s the kind of import needed by the Express.

“He doesn’t dominate on offense but he gets his teammates involved. We don’t need a good scoring import because we have a lot of scoring options,” said Guiao.

The fiery Air21 mentor also believed Matias is coming to his own “which is good because it makes our bench deeper.”

Matias, a prized recruit from University of Manila, fired 13 in the fourth quarter helping the Express ease endgame pressure.

Ronjay Buenafe rifled in a trey then Matias scored on a lay-up following a steal by Cortez as the Express built the momentum for a steady finish, taking a six-point lead at 104-98 with time down to 3:38.

Jai Lewis and Sol Mercado delivered the goods as they returned to the floor in the closing minutes, and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters checked a faltering finish, subduing the Sta. Lucia Realtors, 84-77, in the nightcap.

“Today’s game showed our character as a team. We pulled through despite our key players sitting down precious minutes due to fouls,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.